Dr. Marlene Snyder, director of development for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, joined the first lady of the Virgin Islands in a radio broadcast on August 25 to discuss bullying and the territory's efforts to combat the problem.
First Lady Cecile de Jongh participated in the discussion forum with Dr. Snyder and Roderick Moorehead, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at the Department of Education. The group explored the challenges associated with peer-to-peer bullying; the antisocial climate it can foster in institutions of learning; and a new initiative to combat the problem.
The Children and Families Council, which the first lady chairs, and the VI Department of Education partnered with Dr. Snyder and the OBPP as part of a greater, VI-based effort to reduce the drop-out rate in the territory by seeking to improve the social atmosphere in public schools. Recognizing that children should never fear going to school, and should not have to study under a climate of intimidation or fear, this effort seeks to reduce existing bullying problems among students; prevent new bullying problems; and achieve better peer relations at school. Nearly one in five students experiences bullying in some way, according to the OBPP.
As an expert in the field, Dr. Snyder provided insight on how to implement this groundbreaking program in the Virgin Islands, an effort that has been successful in other parts of the country, and across the world. The program has shown positive results in preventing bullying and reducing antisocial behavior, vandalism and truancy.
A pilot program has been launched at five Virgin Islands schools: Juanita Gardine Elementary and Claude O Markoe Elementary on St. Croix; Lockhart Elementary, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle Schools, and Joseph Gomez Elementary on St. Thomas. The principals of these schools will designate anti-bullying committees and coordinators once school is back in session.
Last May, Education officials conducted a survey of the territory's students to gauge the extent to which school children are concerned about being bullied. The results of the survey will be incorporated into the initiative this school year.
As the initiative continues, the Virgin Islands Department of Education will send four teachers- two from each district-to study the Olweus program with Dr. Snyder and other researchers at Clemson University. Education officials will return to the Territory to share the lessons of their teachings with their colleagues in the Virgin Islands.
