Download Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act Meeting

Key Characteristics of Bullying
0 Bullying differs from other forms of peer aggression in that
there is an imbalance in power. In this way, it is similar to
child abuse or intimate partner violence.
0 Consequences of frequent bullying (once a week or more)
are serious. Children who are bullied may experience
related depression, school avoidance, or social anxiety,
often into adulthood. Children who bully are at a higher
risk of subsequent involvement in the criminal justice
system and of continuing bullying in adult life.
Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581
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Anti-Bullying Training
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Key Characteristics of Bullying
0 Peers are typically involved as “bystanders.” The behavior
and attitudes of bystanders can inhibit or facilitate bullying
behaviors. If peers support the targeted child or express
disapproval of the bullying child, bullying usually subsides.
Most children who bully are sensitive to peer responses to
their behavior.
Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581
9/28/2011
Anti-Bullying Training
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Key Characteristics of Bullying
0 Children who bully are not necessarily lacking in self-esteem,
empathy, or general social skills. However, such children are
more likely than children who do not bully to have lower
competence in managing emotions, empathy, evaluation of
consequences and problem solving. Many children who bully are
popular among peers and with adults.
0 While family and community environment, peer associations and
personality traits do influence bullying behaviors, the most
important factor determining the occurrence of bullying in
schools is school climate. School climate is generally defined as
the subjective experience or perception of the school by students
and school personnel. School climate is primarily influenced by
school norms, disciplinary practices, and the behavior of adults
in the school.
Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581
9/28/2011
Anti-Bullying Training
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Timeline
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
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Anti-Bullying Training
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Timeline
Handling Complaints
0 A school employee or contracted service provider who
witnesses or receives reliable information regarding any
incident of harassment, bullying or intimidation must
verbally report the incident to the school principal on the
same day the incident is witnessed or the reliable
information is received
0 Principal advises the parent or guardian of all students
involved in the alleged incident; if appropriate, principal
discusses availability of counseling and other services
0 Within one school day of the report of the incident, the
principal initiates an investigation which must be
conducted by the school anti-bullying specialist; principal
may appoint others to assist
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Timeline
Handling Complaints
0 Within two school days of witnessing or receiving credible
information regarding the incident, school employee or
contracted service provider must provide a written report
to the building principal
0 Investigation must be completed ASAP, but not later than
ten school days after the date of the written report of the
incident
0 If relevant information comes in after the 10-day deadline,
the ABS prepares an amendment to the investigation
report
0 The principal reports the results of the investigation to the
Superintendent within two school days after the
completion of the report
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Timeline
Handling Complaints
0 Superintendent may decide to provide intervention
services, establish training programs, impose discipline,
order counseling or take other action
0 Superintendent reports results of all investigations to
board at the next meeting following completion of the
investigation
0 Within five days after the board receives report from
superintendent, parents or guardians of the parties to the
investigation receive written information about the
investigation from the superintendent
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Definition of Harassment,
Intimidation & Bullying
(HIB)
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Definition of Harassment, Intimidation
and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of
Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-141
Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying means:
0 Any gesture, written, verbal or physical act or any
electronic communication
0 Single incident or a series of incidents
0 Reasonably perceived as being motivated
0 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
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Anti-Bullying Training
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Definition of Harassment, Intimidation
and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of
Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-141
0 Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored
function, on a school bus, or off school grounds
0 That substantially
0 Disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the
school or the rights of other students
0 And that a reasonable person should know
 Will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a
student or damaging the student’s property, or
1Bullets
are not in the law. The definitional statute is broken down into parts to facilitate ease in
understanding. Emphasis added and some language deleted.
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Definition of Harassment, Intimidation
and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of
Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-141
 Or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or




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emotional harm to his person or damage to his property
Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any group of
students
In a way to cause disruption in or interference with the
orderly operation of the school
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
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Relevant Board Policies
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Board Policies
0 5350 – Pupil Suicide Prevention
0 5512 – Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying
0 5600 – Code of Conduct
0 8461 – Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Harassment,
Intimidation, Bullying, Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse
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HIB Reporting Form
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Forms
Report of Allegations of HIB
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Helpful Links & Resources
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Helpful Resources
Administration/Parents
0 District Website: www.southorangemaplewood.org
0 District Policies:
http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/189610121793241930/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BM
DRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55093
0 Individual School Websites
0 http://stopbullyingnow.com
Researched based strategies to reduce bullying
0 NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention:
www.njbullying.org
0 NJ Department of Education
http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/
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QUESTIONS???
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