Murfreesboro City Schools will kick off the nationally recognized bullying prevention program on Wednesday...

MCS spokesperson Lisa Trail says staff and teachers were trained in the anti-bullying program prior to the beginning of school and are rolling the program out to students across the district...

Schools will initiate the anti-bullying program on Wednesday with programs and student led activities ranging from anti-bullying banners and pledges to walks, songs and paper pledge quilts.

"Knowing that the entire student body, as well as the staff, is knowledgeable and on-board with the anti-bullying charge is a great way to begin the school year," says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools. "Unfortunately, cases of bullying make the national news way too often. At MCS, we are having conversations with students and staff before bullying can begin."

There are four basic rules that represent the program:
• We will not bully others.
• We will try to help students who are bullied.
• We will include students that are left out.
• If we know of bullying, we will tell an adult at school and at home.

"Having an anti-bullying stance is not new to our schools," says Gilbert. "Having everyone on board from bus drivers to students is a new, positive perspective."

Almost one in five students reported being bullied in the U.S. according to Violence Prevention Works website. Dan Olweus is a psychologist that has worked to intervene against bullying in the world for 40 years. The anti-bullying program, Olweus, focuses on creating a safe and positive school for students to attend. The program has been successful in reducing bullying in schools and also reducing anti social behaviors, like vandalism.