Seeking On-Staff Trainers for the Tennessee Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Date September 19, 2008

To: Tennessee School Leaders

From: Rodger Dinwiddie, Executive Director, STARS Nashville and Olweus Lead Trainer

The purpose of this invitation is to increase Tennessee’s capacity to address youth and adolescent health through violence prevention. Funding is provided by the Tennessee Department of Education: Office of School Safety and Learning Supports Programs. This is a competitive process as funds are limited. Here is the offer:

I. Invitation to Apply

Tennessee school systems are offered the opportunity to endorse a school district employee for a scholarship to the Training of Trainers: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Application documents are due to STARS by Friday, November 14, 2008. Scholarship Recipients will be notified by December 8, 2008.

1. STARS Nashville will provide through the partial-scholarship:
   1. $3,150 of the $3900 fee to Clemson University for training
   2. Each School/school district is responsible for $750 of the cost of the training fee.
   3. 3 days of training to selected scholarship applicants
   4. 2 days of follow-up training 10-14 months later
   5. 24 months of consultation with an Olweus Certified Expert Consultant

2. The applicant will provide:
   1. Personal Statement of Purpose for Training
   2. Application  to STARS Nashville
   3. Certification requirements1.pdf  to STARS Nashville
   4. The names and addresses of the school(s) to be trained
3. The school district will provide:
   1. Letters of endorsement for the applicant that include verification that the applicant will be released for 1) the Training of Trainers and 2) to train one or more schools for implementation during the school year.
   2. Travel expenses for the applicant’s 5 days of training.
4. Schools to be trained by the newly certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer/Consultant will provide:
   1. A Memorandum of Agreement from the School Principal.
   2. A timeline for implementation during the school year.

II. Training of Trainers: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

The purpose of this training is to expand our cadre of well-trained individuals in Tennessee who are certified to provide training and follow-up consultation to Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committees at elementary, intermediate, middle, and/or junior high or high schools that desire to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. A description of the certification process and requirements for certification are attached.

If you are interested in taking part in this training for certification, we invite you to complete the attached application and certification forms. The deadline for submitting applications to STARS Nashville is Friday, November 14, 2008. Although we hope to accommodate all interested individuals, we are committed to ensuring that the training is as interactive as possible and therefore will limit the number of participants. A selection process will take into account such factors as the experience of the individuals seeking training, the expressed need for certified trainers in localities and within school regions and the familiarity of applicants with the model. The training will be provided by a team of experienced trainers including Jane Riese and Rodger Dinwiddie.

The cost of the certification training and the follow-up consultation is $3,900. This fee will include:

1. A three-day initial training (January 28-30, 2009 in Nashville) 
2. A training notebook, including a CD-ROM containing PowerPoint slides and electronic versions of handouts needed for trainings
3. A copy of all required and suggested Olweus Bullying Prevention Program materials
4. Ongoing telephone consultation (approximately 15 hours total) with an Expert Trainer over a 24 month period
5. A two-day booster training (date to be determined at the initial training)

Participants selected to participate in the TOT will be notified no later than December 8, 2008.

If you have any questions about this invitation or any of the conditions described in this mailing, please do not hesitate to contact Rodger Dinwiddie at STARS-Nashville at 615-279-0058, ext.122 or prdinwiddie@studentstakingarightstand.org for information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, we encourage you to visit the website for the program at www.clemson.edu/olweus.  Please feel free to share this information with appropriate colleagues.

Thank you for your interest in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. We hope that you will consider submitting an application!