Parent Training Definition of HIB Reporting & Investigation Timeline School Culture and Climate

HIB: is any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or series of incidents, that …

o 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 o Takes place on school property, at any school- sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section NJSA 18 A: that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students, and that:

o …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. o Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or o 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.

 Anti-bullying Specialist: The law specifies that the principal must appoint the currently employed guidance counselor, school psychologist or another similarly trained individual to fill this role. Every school must post contact information for its anti-bullying specialist on its homepage.  Daneen Collins-Grayson- Forest Street School- Anti-Bullying Specialist  Anti-bullying Coordinator: At the district level the Superintendent must appoint a district anti-bullying coordinator.  Vernon Pullins, Jr. - Anti-Bullying Coordinator- Orange Public Schools © New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

 School districts annually establish and implement programs and approaches designed to create school-wide conditions to prevent and address HIB.  School district HIB training for employees and volunteers includes preventing bullying of protected categories and other characteristics.  Full, part-time staff, volunteers, contracted service providers, any employee with student contact. © New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

 Whether by traditional means or via cyberspace, bullying and peer victimization puts adolescents at increased risk for suicide, especially when comorbid psychopathology is present. Longitudinal studies have just started to be published, and this research field needs to be further developed. In the meantime, findings from cross-sectional studies suggest differential risk profiles by sex as well as by the frequency and severity of the bullying. Female bullies are at increased risk for suicide, even when their bullying is infrequent. Males appear to be at increased risk for suicidal ideation, but only when they are bullied frequently.  Bullying and peer victimization lead to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, but this association varies by sex and may be mediated by depression or conduct problems. Future research should continue to identify specific causal paths between bullying and suicide. Population-based longitudinal studies that include severe suicide attempts and suicide deaths are needed to support these findings.

“Strengthening school culture and climate is the single best way to reduce HIB in schools.” © New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

 Posted on the school website

Takes power away from bully Sends message/doesn’t reinforce behavior Strengthens ability for victims to protect themselves Less difficult for adults to figure out (instead of “he said, she said”) More objective information Less scary /takes extra pressure off victim to report Emphasize the power of many, strength in numbers; Help them see that their silence makes aggressive students more powerful and contributes to the harm done to victims; Model positive behavior for them; Protect them from retaliation; Discourage them from directly confronting aggressive youth about their behavior. Instead, help them find a wide range of safer and more effective interventions to use; Encourage them to tell adults about the cruel behavior they see; Help them find ways to befriend targets of HIB and isolated peers. Source: Adapted from

 NJDOE, Office of Student Support Services,  NJDOE, County Offices of Education  The anti-bullying law (P.L.2010, c.122), can be found athttp://  The Model Policy and Guidance for Prohibiting Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying on School Property, at School- sponsored Functions and on School Buses can be found at  Additional NJDOE resources on HIB can be found at