MCPS Highlights Bullying Prevention Activities

January is Bullying Prevention Month

Statistics show that 160,000 children miss school each day in the United States as a result of bullying. In an effort to promote awareness of school bullying, the Virginia School Boards Association has proclaimed January as Bullying Prevention Month in Virginia.

“In MCPS, bullying prevention is part of our year-round curriculum,” said Sharon Francis-Zuckerwar, supervisor of social sciences and character education. “Our schools are engaged in a process to fully implement all components of the Olweus Bullying Prevention program, including school, classroom, individual and community awareness.”

During the month of January schools will participate in specific awareness activities, including but not limited to:

• Students from Virginia Tech will serve as recess and lunch buddies to reduce bullying with adult presence and role modeling (Harding Avenue Elementary)
• Students will participate in No Name Calling Week (Auburn Elementary, Gilbert Linkous Elementary, Eastern Montgomery Elementary)
• Classrooms will utilize role playing scenarios so students may practice what to do in a bullying situation (Christiansburg Elementary, Christiansburg Primary)
• Former students will visit schools to speak with students about how positive choices can affect their future (Auburn Middle)
• Morning announcements will focus on bullying prevention (Blacksburg Middle)
• Faculty/Staff training on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (Blacksburg High, Christiansburg High)

“All of our schools make extraordinary efforts throughout the school year to identify and prevent bullying,” said Brenda Blackburn, division superintendent. “Our January activities provide a renewed and targeted focus on how to eliminate bullying in our schools.”

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