update Christine A. D’Avirro TG ABS

Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Intended to strengthen standards for preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to incidents of bullying and to reduce the risk of suicide among students Effective September 2011

HIB Definition "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" 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 any 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, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, CHAPTER 122, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that:

a)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] b)has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students [in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school]; or c)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.

School District Staff Functions  Anti-Bullying Coordinator (District)  Anti-Bullying Specialist (School)  School Safety Team (School)

Anti-Bullying Specialist  Acts as primary building representative for preventing, identifying, and addressing incidents of HIB.  Leads the investigation of reported HIB incidents.  Assists the Principal in applying the range of ways for responding to HIB established by the school board.  Chairs the School Safety Team.  Provides input to BOE on annual re-evaluation, reassessment, and review of policy.

School Safety Team  Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including HIB issues.  Meets at least 2 times per school year  Consists of the Principal (or designee) and principal appointees: a teacher in the school, the school anti-bullying specialist (serves as chair), a parent* of a student in the school, and other members determined by the principal

School Safety Team (cont. )  Reviews HIB complaints and HIB investigations to identify and address patterns of HIB in the school.  Reviews and strengthens school climate and policies in order to prevent and address HIB.  Collaborates with Anti-Bullying Coordinator in data collection and development of policies to prevent and address HIB. *Parent team members may only participate in activities that do not compromise student confidentiality.

HIB Reporting & Investigating  Any staff member must verbally report an alleged incident of HIB to the principal on the same day.  Written report must be submitted to Principal within 2 days.  Principal alerts ABS.  Principal and ABS coordinate notification of parents.

HIB Reporting & Investigating (cont.)  ABS conducts investigation with designated staff member.  Investigations must be concluded within 10 days.  Results of investigation reported to Superintendent within 2 days of its completion.  Results of investigation reported to BOE no later than next Board meeting.

HIB Data 12 reports of Harassment/Bullying/Intimidation were investigated. 8 met the criteria for H.I.B.

HIB Data 1 report of Harassment/Bullying/Intimidation was investigated, and Found to meet the criteria for H.I.B.

HIB Data Not to jinx anything…

Key Factors in Determining HIB ① Actual or perceived characteristic of target. ② Significant disruption to student’s rights, or operation of the school. ③ Incident causes physical or emotional harm, or fear of harm.

Key Considerations for Parents Listen to your child and show empathy. Avoid labeling a situation as bullying. Conflicts are part of life and are not automatically bullying. Students are routinely brought together to positively resolve conflicts. Per best practices bullying situations are NOT mediated. Contact me with questions or to discuss situations. An incident may violate Code of Conduct and not constitute bullying.

Typical Conflict vs. Bullying  Involves people with similar degrees of power.  Mutual disagreement.  Reciprocal.  Both students are responsible.  Can be fairly resolved.  Involves imbalance of power.  One-side; one party instigates.  Hurtful behavior towards another.  Instigating student is responsible.  Fair resolution requires change in behavior of instigating student.

District HIB Resources for Parents orParents.aspx