HARRISBURG — Moraine Elementary School was one of only eight schools in the state to be honored at the 2013 Pennsylvania Safe Schools Conference on Tuesday.

“It felt pretty good,” said Principal Matt Lafko, who attended the conference.

The schools were honored for showing successful implementation of bullying prevention programs and strategies.

Moraine got a check for $1,250 from the Highmark Foundation, which Lafko said will be used to keep funding the program.

“To sustain an already strong program,” Lafko said.

The program, which started about three years ago, is an Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which is a long-term program that involves the entire school.

Each month, the school focuses on a character trait, such as respect or honesty. Students have weekly meetings and do activities. Lafko said the school is somewhat unique because it takes the program all the way to the kindergarten students.

He said third grade teacher Amy DeMarco has done an excellent job in facilitating the program and getting the other teachers and students involved.

One of the strengths of the program, Lafko said, is that it involves community members, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and people from the Prospect Boys and Girls Club.

“So we all work together for the same goal,” Lafko said.

On Wednesday, the school will hold a kick-off assembly for the program and Lafko will congratulate the students for making the award possible.

The school, located in Prospect and a part of the Slippery Rock School District, has 450 pupils from kindergarten to fifth grade.