NORRIS, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Anderson County Schools launched a new bullying prevention program with students and parents Tuesday.

Norris Middle School has adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention, named for it's create Dr. Dan Olweus.

"This researched-based, school-wide system change program has been used successfully in schools all over the country and around the world with positive results," NMS Principal Jeff Harshbarger said.

The school doesn't have a "bullying problem," but one student being intimated is too much, Harshbarger said.

The principal said he was suffered some bullying while he attended Norris Middle School as a student, and he intimidated some of his peers as a result.

"As a student 7th and 8th grade were the worst years of my life. It was absolutely nightmare years," Harshbarger said.

Harshbarger discussed the new program, which he personally pushed to get, with more than 100 parents and student in the school's gym Tuesday night.

The program aims to change the whole school climate, making it a safer and more positive learning environment, Harshbarger said.

"Most bullying is not physical in nature. It's emotional: rumors spreading, student isolation, using technology readily to hurt people's feelings," he said.

It doesn't necessarily include stiffer punishments.

Instead, the program involves open discussions what bullying is and encourages students to talk with both their teachers and parents about what they experience, according to Harshbarger.

"It used to be, it's accepted that bullying happens or it's just part of growing up, or it's a right of passage. Well, it's not a right of passage. It's a students' rights issue. Every student has the right to come to school and feel safe," Harshbarger said.

Harshbarger says students will participate in weekly class meetings about bullying.

Parents also will have meetings, allowing them to support the messages students get in school.

Unlike other initiatives, Harshbarger said this program involves a long-term commitment.

"The program isn't a two-week curriculum and we're done. It's not just a year and we're done. It will not end," he said.

Harshbarger says a bullying committee has already identified bullying hot spots in the school, such as certain hallways or restrooms.

"Some restrooms are closed parts of the day because they're not well-supervised. There are certain hallways off-limits during parts of the day. We've changed schedules so not all 500 kids are in the halls at the same time," Harshbarger said.

Volunteer TV also spoke with several students and parents about the new program.

All of them supported the school's efforts.

In addition to the program at Norris Middle School, plans are being made to introduce it at Anderson County elementary schools and, eventually, the entire district, according to Harshbarger.