Hehnly Elementary Kicks Off Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

dedicated the day for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program kick-off event on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The Olweus program is a is a school-wide, systems change program that is effective at reducing rates of bullying in a school if implemented with fidelity. It was designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop.

The day started with an assembly from Sensei Arthur Hearns, owner of Sensei spoke to the students about being “Champions for Life”; the ABC’s of being a champion: attitude, belief and concentration; being focus masters and developing the empowerment to stop bullying.

The classes then split up for team building exercises to work on perseverance, following rules and social development. After a picnic lunch, the school stood united, wearing red shirts, embracing the slogan “Start a Trend, Be a Friend."

The student-made anti-bullying “Links” were joined together and stretched out across the front lawn. After an inspirational speech from Craig D'Amico, a regular substitute teacher in the district, the students enjoyed carnival games led by parent volunteers and team building exercises led by Bryan Healy, president of East Coast Conditioning in Clark.