NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Norwin K-12 Schools Stand United Against Bullying Fostering Kindness, Inclusion, and Respect Through the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Norwin School District remains dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment through the implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Across all grade levels, students, teachers, and staff have been actively engaging in initiatives that promote kindness, respect, and accountability. At Sheridan Terrace, teachers and staff hold monthly class meetings to identify areas where bullying may occur, such as the bus, cafeteria, recess, and arrival and dismissal times. To promote positive behavior, they have created The Safety Squad, a group of selected 4th grade students from each bus who wear safety vests and serve as role models for good bus behavior. Introduced during the last House Day, these students also recognize peers making positive choices. Staff members will collaborate with The Safety Squad to document and celebrate students who demonstrate outstanding behavior each week.
Throughout the course of the year, the teachers and staff at Hahntown have conducted various activities that promote and foster character education traits with anti-bullying components. A lion has been used to challenge students to be brave and be a good friend and classmate. Students add to the lion’ s mane highlighting positive actions and behaviors. In different classrooms, students and teachers read stories like the Juice Box Bully to understand the difference between being a bystander and an upstander as well as participated in teamwork activities that required students to work together and encourage their classmates.
Stewartsville has been working to get out the bullying prevention message by reinforcing the definition, reviewing some bullying scenarios, and practicing the anti-bullying rules. As a part of their kick-off, each class created a poster around the theme of“ Say Boo to Bullying”. A positive message has been displayed around the school.
Earlier this month, Sunset Valley OLWEUS celebrated“ You’ ve Got A Friend” Week, engaging students in activities that encouraged friendship and kindness through classroom meetings, videos, and an assembly featuring Cody Sabol, a nationally recognized speed painter and former Sunset Valley student, who used his artwork to
emphasize the importance of being a good friend. Through paintings of Spider-Man, the Norwin Knight, and Mario, he encouraged students to be heroes, defend others, and work together. The week concluded with the“ Knight News,” where students reflected on their lessons and winning classrooms were visited by the school’ s Noble Knight.
The Hillcrest Intermediate OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program invited Cody Sabol, a Norwin alumni and well-known speed painter, to present for students on Friday, January 24. Students gathered around the large easel and drop-cloth to watch Cody create masterpieces while presenting the concept of“ Change Starts With Me”. This theme was built upon last year’ s theme of“ Be A Hero”. Each participant was given a wristband with the slogans to wear as reminders of the importance of bullying prevention.
In the fall, the guidance counselors taught classroom lessons to both 7th and 8th grade students. In 7th grade, students learned about bullying prevention, consequences, and ways to support and seek help. In 8th grade, students also learned about bullying prevention, racial / gender bullying, and showing empathy to others. In the upcoming weeks, teachers will be doing an activity with each team in the middle school related to the Olweus bullying circle and understanding the roles in bullying.
At the High School, quarterly class meetings have been implemented to address topics like the Olweus Program, emphasizing anti-bullying efforts and positive school culture.
These meetings have included interactive activities and presentations by class officers to encourage students to be“ upstanders” and Noble Knights, with plans to conclude the year with a video highlighting the collective impact of these efforts.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program continues to make a meaningful impact across all Norwin schools, fostering a culture of kindness, inclusion, and respect. A key component of this initiative is community involvement, as highlighted by the recent informational meeting for Norwin parents. This meeting provided valuable insight into the program’ s implementation over the past two years and reinforced the collective effort needed to sustain a supportive school environment. Through collaboration among students, staff, and families, Norwin remains committed to promoting a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all.
NORWIN | SPRING 2025 25 orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS