Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Specialists

 

 

 

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

A. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Anna L. Klein does not tolerate incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying.  All reported incidents are thoroughly investigated by the Anti-Bullying Specialist (ABR) pursuant to NJSA 18A:37-14 Students who have been found to have violated the HIB law are given a consequence according to the district’s Code of Conduct and other remedial action is taken.

B.Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying is defined as follows:

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 reasonable 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, c.122(C.18A:37-15.3), that 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; 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.

C.     Reporting Procedures

All acts of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) are reported to the school principal the same day the incident is reported. The principal notifies parents of alleged student offenders and victims, and discusses the availability of support services. The principal also initiates an investigation to be conducted by the school anti-bullying specialist.  A report is then provided to the chief school administrator (CSA), who may take additional actions. The CSA reports the incident to the board of education (BOE) and provides parents with the required information about the investigation. The BOE must issue a written decision on the CSA's report. Parents have the right to a BOE hearing, in executive session, within 10 days of their request, which could occur before or after the BOE's decision.