Sparta Middle School

HIB LAW January 5, 2011 Governor Christie signed into law the “Anti‐Bullying Bill of Rights” New law went into effect September 2011 Updated during 2011/2012 School Year

KEY ISSUES IN NEW LAW Clarifies responsibility for conduct away from school grounds Stresses the importance of School Safety Teams Continues to require an Anti‐Bullying Specialist in every school (Jaclyn Margolies) Continues to requires an Anti‐Bullying Coordinator for district (Dr. Varley) Updated investigation, reporting, discipline, appeal procedures Updated reporting requirements on incidents of bullying Updated grading procedure for schools and districts Updated training requirements (Staff Training must occur yearly)

Definition HIB means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or series of incidents, that: * is reasonably perceived as being motivated 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 *takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or off school grounds if it can be shown to impact school performance *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 *has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students *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.

Difference Between Normal Conflict and Bullying Normal Conflict: Involves people with similar degrees of power Involves a mutual disagreement or difference in interests or goals Is reciprocal; both parties participate in the conflict Both parties are responsible for wrongdoing Can be fairly resolved by compromise or negotiation A normal part of growing up and of life Bullying: Involves an imbalance of power Is one‐sided Involves hurtful behavior on behalf of one party against another Bully is responsible for wrongdoing The intent is to physically or emotionally hurt someone Can be an isolated incident

Follow the Path of a HIB Complaint 1. HIB report is made – verbally or on electronic anonymous form 2. Investigation begins within one school day of HIB report and is completed within ten days 3. Determination if action is a Code of Conduct Violation or a HIB 4. Vice Principal notifies parents of that decision. If it is deemed an HIB violation an investigation begins. 5. The completed investigation goes to the principal 6. The report then goes to the superintendent and the BOE 7. The Vice Principal(s) then notify the parents of the results 8. If report is deemed a Code of Conduct, Principal or Vice Principal(s) decides disciplinary procedure.

What you can do if you think you or another person are being bullied Talk to a school administrator, a guidance counselor or the HIB specialist about the situation. Define what takes place in school, what happens when there is free time, etc. and how you (they) feel when the incident(s) takes place. Discuss ways you (they) can respond to a bully (e.g. walking away, telling an adult, or asking for help from peers.) Reporting a bullying incident is crucial for the victim and the bully Know that by reporting bullying, help will come and it will be supported by the school staff. Talk with your friends about bullying to see how you can support your school climate Bullies rarely target other s in groups, maintain a peer group that is unified All complaints must be investigated and all parents involved must be contacted This is your school – you can help keep it a safe environment

ANTI‐BULLYING COORDINATOR (Dr. Varley) Appointed by Superintendent Coordinates/strengthens district HIB policy to prevent, identify, and address HIB Collaborates with anti‐bullying specialists, BOE and Supt. Meets with the anti‐bullying specialists Provides data, in collaboration with the supt. to the NJDOE

ANTI‐BULLYING SPECIALIST (Mrs. Jaclyn Margolies) Person you can access to ask questions and get help from if you think you are involved in a HIB Chairs the school safety team Leads the investigation of reported HIB Acts as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying, and addressing incidents of HIB in the school Assists the principal in appropriately applying the range of ways for responding to HIB established by the school board Provides input to local school board on annual re‐evaluation, reassessment, review of policy

SCHOOL CLIMATE COMMITTEE Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including HIB issues Meets monthly during the school year Consists of the principal, a teacher in the school, the school anti‐bullying specialist (serves as chair), a parent/guardian of a student in the school, and other members determined by the principal

FACTORS THAT INFULENCE BULLING Strong need for power and dominance Rewarded for their behavior (material or psychological rewards) Intentional in nature; imbalance of power (i.e. physical size) Negative family factors (e.g. internal parent conflict) Parental stigmatization: abusive, neglectful, hostile parenting

CHARACTERISTICS OF BULLIES Reactive Bully Proactive Bully Automatic, defensive response to an immediate and often misperceived threat Emotionally driven Organized; purposeful, and often premeditated Driven by insecurity No remorse

CHARACTERISTICS OF VICTIMS Passive Victims At Risk Victims Are quiet, cautious and/or sensitive Lack confidence Are physically weaker than peers (boys) Mature physically earlier (girls) Are afraid of getting hurt Find it easier to associate with adults rather than peers Children with disabilities or other health care needs Children who are obese Children who are LGBT

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS Hyperactive or have difficulty concentrating Quick tempered, try to fight back if provoked May be bullied by many children May be disliked by adults in their environment Try to bully younger, weaker children

WHOSE THE VICTIM? Display the social-emotional problems of victimized children AND the behavioral problems of children who bully: Poor relationships with classmates Lonely Poor academic achievement Higher rates of drug/alcohol abuse More frequent fighting

ANTI‐BULLYING SPECIALIST Mrs. Jaclyn Margolies: Ext: 319