Minnetonka Elementary Schools Target Bullying

Minnetonka elementary schools have kicked-off a district-wide anti-bullying campaign. The hope—Minnetonka’s elementary school students will learn to identify bully behavior and prevent it by telling an adult.

Janet Swiecichowski, spokeswoman for Minnetonka Schools, said this new effort is about, “moving children from being a witness or by-stander to a reporter.”

Cindy Andress, the Principal of , was responsible for implementing the new OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program in the district’s elementary classrooms.

“Our purpose through this journey is to change attitudes toward bullying, reducing, and hopefully preventing it from occurring,” Andress said.  

According to the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey, younger children, as opposed to teenagers, are often the most affected by feelings of being excluded at school. According to the data, 36 percent of sixth grade students in Hennepin County reported having been teased or excluded by others within a 30-day time period. About the same percentage also reported that they, themselves, had made fun of or teased or excluded another student.

This program puts specific emphasis on the role of parents to prevent bullying. Minnetonka schools sent home a newsletter to elementary school parents which read, in part: “Your child will be asked to tell an adult at school and at home if he or she is bullied or sees bullying happening at school. It will be very important that you take any bullying seriously.”

Schools asked all elementary students and their families to sign a contract pledging 100 percent commitment and participation. One such signee, Minnetonka parent Solveig Mayer, said she’s excited about the new anti-bullying initiative. Mayer’s daughter, Emma, is in first grade at Minnewashta Elementary.

“She sees bullying. One kid is always budging in lines,” Mayer said. “Little things in the grand scheme, but she's only in first grade!”

Beginning in December, teachers and staff members at Minnetonka schools underwent training in the program. Now, every Minnetonka elementary student spends a half-hour during their weekly “morning meeting” time learning about bullying in an effort to stop it from happening. 

Principal of , Dave Parker, has even started referring to the OLWEUS day as “Magic Monday.” Every Monday in March and April, every Groveland student wears an anti-bullying, “United We Are Safe/Unidos Estamos Seguros” T-shirt. The hope is, that by wearing the message, they will learn it and live it.

It's a large undertaking to get rid of bullying in every classroom, but many educators, including Principal Andress agree, that it’s one that is too important not to take on.

“It will take time and a courageous community,” she said.