Olweus Kicks Off

By Adrianna Luongo

January 5, 2026

Psychologist Dan Olweus created the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to prevent bullying and foster a safer school environment by empowering student bystanders. This year’s JMS Olweus Kickoff took place on October 23, 2025 and included a full day of events. 

Students reported to their first period classes for attendance before each grade was called down to the auditorium one by one for the Opening Ceremony. That led into second period, where students walked around the track. Throughout the day, each grade rotated their events. While one grade walked the track, another participated in an indoor activity, and another completed an outdoor activity, such as the three-legged race, the four-cone flip, the hula hoop pass, and the human chain race. During periods 3-4, there was an assembly where Mark Leinweaver, an MLB agent and motivational speaker, discussed kindness, leadership, and the importance of stepping up when someone needs help. The day ended with a closing ceremony, where students and staff participated in games against each other. Ms. Breland, who organizes the Olweus kickoff each year, noted, “Since we added the student vs. staff at the end of the day, that has become my favorite part.”  Our dance team, The Jayettes, began by dancing to the popular song “Rock That Body” by the Black Eyed Peas. The JMS Jazz band also played several songs while the staff and student games were underway. 

As Ms.Breland states, “The effect that we want Olweus to have on students is to [encourage them to] be an upstander.” Olweus encourages community building and having fun, while giving an important reminder that when students see a bullying situation, they can stand up to the bully using the LEADERS strategies. 

The Olweus Kick-Off continues to be one of the most important community-building events at JMS because it teaches students how to stand up together, support one another, and prevent bullying.