Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (H.I.B.) Overview and Procedures

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying Policy Legislation enacted September 2002 required each school to adopt an H.I.B. policy Commission on Bullying in Schools established in January 2008, and submitted its recommendations to the Governor in December 2009 The new law was introduced in October 2010 Approved by the Legislature in November 2010 Signed by the Governor in January 2011

H.I.B. Definition H.I.B. means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that: Is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by an actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic; Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus; or off school grounds, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15.3,

H.I.B. Definition (cont) Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students; and that A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property; or Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

Conflict vs. Bullying Bullying is not a phase young people must endure or outgrow. Bullying is not a conflict between students or among groups of students. CONFLICT is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement, an argument or a fight which is a normal part of human development. BULLYING is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one or more person’s aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

Differences Between Conflict and Bullying Equal power or friends Happens occasionally Accidental and not seeking power or attention Disagreement and/or Argument Equal emotional reaction from both parties Remorse – will take responsibility Effort and/or desire to solve the problem Bullying Imbalance of power – not friends Repeated negative actions Purposeful and seeking power, control, or material things Beyond conflict with threat of physical or emotional harm Strong emotional reaction from victim and little emotional reaction from offender No remorse – blames victim No effort or desire to solve the problem

School Safety Team (cont.) Receive any H.I.B. complaints reported to principal* Receive copies of any H.I.B. investigation reports* Identify and address patterns of H.I.B. in the school* Review and strengthen school climate and policies in order to prevent and address H.I.B. *Parent team members may only participate in activities that do not compromise student confidentiality.

School Safety Team Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including H.I.B. issues Meets at least 2 times per school year and consists of: The Principal The Anti Bullying Coordinator A teacher in the school The school Anti-Bullying Specialist(s) A parent (as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3) of a student in the school, and Other members determined by the principal

School Safety Team (cont.) Educate the community (i.e., students, teachers, administrators, parents) to prevent and address H.I.B. Participate in training (both required and requested) Collaborate with anti-bullying coordinator in data collection and development of policies to prevent and address H.I.B. Other duties related to H.I.B. requested by principal or anti-bullying coordinator

Parent Rights and School Responsibilities to Parents Parents must be informed by the principal the same day their child has been reported as a victim/offender/witness in an HIB incident. Parents of HIB offenders and victims must be provided with the following written information about an HIB investigation affecting their child, in accordance with federal and state law and regulation, within 5 days after the results of the investigation are reported to the board: The nature of the investigation Whether the district found evidence of HIB Whether discipline was imposed or services provided to address the incident of HIB.

Parents Right to Appeal the information. • • Parents may request a hearing before the BOE after receiving Parents must be notified of the BOE’s written determination to affirm, reject or modify the CSA’s decision.    The hearing must be held within 10 days of the request. Made at the BOE meeting following its receipt of the HIB the confidentiality of the students. The hearing must be held in executive session to protect report. Parent Rights and School Responsibilities to Parents, cont. -- Parents have a right to appeal Parents Right to Appeal Parents may request a hearing before the BOE after receiving the information. The hearing must be held within 10 days of the request. The hearing must be held in executive session to protect the confidentiality of the students. Parents must be notified of the BOE’s written determination to affirm, reject or modify the CSA’s decision. Made at the BOE meeting following its receipt of the HIB report.

H.I.B. Reporting Timeline (School Day 1) - H.I.B. occurs and/or employee learns of H.I.B.. -Verbal report to Principal/ABS. -Principal informs parents or guardians. Within 1 School Day of Verbal Report (School Day 2) -Principal decides to initiate investigation by Anti-Bullying Specialist; others may be appointed to assist. Within 2 School Days of H.I.B. Incident (School Day 3) -Written report provided to Principal by staff member, student or volunteer who witnessed or received reliable information that a student experienced H.I.B.. Within 10 School Days of Written Report (School Day 13) -H.I.B. Investigation complete and results reported to Principal Within 2 School days of Completing Investigation (School Day 15) -Principal/Supervisor decide which actions to take (intervention services, training, discipline) -Principal reports investigation findings to the Board at the next Board Meeting Within 5 School Days after Investigation Results are given to the Board -Principal provides information to parents of alleged bully and victim(s) about investigation findings.

Parents Right to Appeal Within 5 School Days after Investigation Results are given to the Board -Principal provides information to parents of alleged bully, alleged witness(es), and alleged victim(s) about investigation findings. Parent can request Board Hearing for H.I.B. -Board Hearing must occur within 10 days of parent request. Parent can request Due Process Hearing for H.I.B. Must have within 30 days of suspension Next Board Meeting -Principal must report H.I.B. and/or Due process results 90 days after Board’s determination -Parents may appeal to the Commissioner of Education 180 days after Board’s determination - Parents may appeal to the Office of Civil Rights

Important Notes about the H.I.B. Investigation Process The Principal or Principal’s designee is responsible for the initiation of the investigation process. The Anti-Bullying Specialists conduct the investigations by interviewing all students delineated in the H.I.B. Reports, including the alleged victim(s), alleged witness(es), and alleged offender(s). Mrs. Gina Infante for Grades pK-4 Miss Krista Deckhut for Grades 5-8

H.I.B. Resources and References For additional information regarding anti-bullying and the H.I.B. process and procedures, please see the resources below. Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/PL10/122_.PDF Cyberbullying Research Center: http://www.cyberbullying.us New Jersey Department of Education Website: http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/#si Stop Bullying Now Website: http://www.stopbullying.gov References SRI & ETTC. (2011, December 5). H.I.B. Training for Anti-Bullying Specialists, Anti-Bullying Coordinators & School Safety Team Members. Presented at H.I.B. Training in Mays Landing, NJ. NJDOE publication: Guidance for Schools on Implementing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122) http://www.nj.gov/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/guidance.pdf

H.I.B. Roles at Bedminster Anti-Bullying Coordinator: Jennifer Giordano Grades PK-4 Anti-Bullying Specialist: Gina Infante Grades 5-8 Anti-Bullying Specialist: Krista Deckhut Interested in joining the School Safety Team? Please contact anyone listed above to let us know!