EPPING – Epping Middle School students were introduced to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) at a motivational school assembly on September 10, featuring the 1991 Bicycling Stunt World Champion, Chris Poulos. Students listened to Poulos talk about how to live life in a positive way, and left the presentation knowing that they are capable of achieving great things. Poulos also demonstrated many of his favorite bike stunts and asked members of the audience to participate in his presentation.
OBPP is a well-known bullying prevention program that has been proven to reduce or prevent bullying. A team of teachers from the Epping School District was trained over the past year in how to implement the program. They, in turn, presented the program to all District employees at workshops at the end of the last school year and at the professional development days before this school year started.
Middle School students will meet with their Morning Meeting groups and advisors to become familiar with OBPP and learn of their responsibilities and opportunities for making their school a better place for all. The primary lesson they will take from the program is that they must report any bullying they see or hear to an adult, either in the school or at home.
To motivate students to work toward OBPP goals, the Epping Lions Club donated at BMX bike to be raffled off later in the school year. To be eligible for the raffle, students must earn tickets from the school’s “Nice Moves” program. Students earn tickets when an adult in the school “catches them being good.” They are recognized for being positive members of the school community when they earn tickets. The raffle also includes a bike helmet, autographed by Poulos.
The students left the assembly extremely excited about the raffle and the Poulos presentation!
A Parents’ Information Night about Olweus will be held on Thurs., September 27, at 6:30 p.m., in the Middle School. This will be a great opportunity for parents to ask questions and learn more about the program.
