Susquehanna Township School District has been taking a proactive approach to stop bullying before it begins.
Anti-bullying programs are in place in all STSD schools. Positive Behavior Support Program (PBIS) teams work to educate learners on bullying prevention through classroom meetings and lessons through SOAR (Safety | Ownership | Accountability | Respect). The District's Shared norms for Acceptable Behaviors and SOAR expectations are posted throughout the buildings, and staff have participated in bullying prevention in-service programs.
To continue and build upon these efforts, the District has implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Olweus Program is a comprehensive approach that includes schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community components. The program is focused on long-term change that creates a safe and positive school climate. It is designed and evaluated for use in elementary, middle, junior high and high schools (K-12). The program’s goals are:
- reduce and prevent bullying problems among school children
- improve peer relations at school
The program has been found to reduce bullying among children, improve the social climate of classrooms, and reduce related antisocial behaviors, such as vandalism and truancy. The Olweus Program has been implemented in more than a dozen countries around the world, and in thousands of schools in the United States.
STSD has an Olweus Team in each of our 4 buildings. The teams are responsible for a kick-off event in the Fall of each school year, booster events throughout the year, as well providing each building with classroom lessons. The Olweus Program also meshes with our PBIS teams to ensure a common language is spoken to ensure a positive school climate.