VIDEO: Minnetonka Targets Bullying in Elementary Schools

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM UNDERWAY AT MINNETONKA'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 

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Minnetonka elementary schools have implemented a district-wide anti-bullying campaign. The hope is that 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 putting the new Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, co-created by Hazelden and Clemson University, into the district’s elementary classrooms. The video accompanying this article, produced by Minnetonka Schools, details the program.

“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 period. About the same percentage also reported that they, themselves, had made fun of, 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 contracts pledging complete commitment and participation. One such signee, Minnetonka parent Solveig Mayer, said she’s excited schools about the 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. Every Minnetonka elementary student spends a half-hour during the weekly “morning meeting” learning about bullying. 

It's a large undertaking to get rid of bullying in every classroom, Andress said.

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