The Montgomery County schools are putting a priority on bullying prevention without putting a burden on their teachers.
Montgomery County is implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in all of its schools, adding to the growing roster of schools that are using the program with support from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
Schools in the district have had their own anti-bullying and character education initiatives in the past, but Superintendent Matt Thompson said this allows the district to consolidate its efforts.
“We decided to make it a district focus,” Thompson said. “I think most of our staff will see this as a continuation of what they’re already doing, just with a little extra support and materials.”
Olweus is a comprehensive approach that includes schoolwide, classroom, individual and community components. The program, which can be used in grades K-12, incorporates best practices in bullying prevention and intervention that are grounded in research.
It is supported by KDE, which has offered training and materials to schools that wish to implement the program since 2015.
By Mike Marsee
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