School Self-Assessment under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (A.B.R.) October 2016

H.I.B. Defined "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 [handicap] disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school- sponsored function [or], 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:

Definition continued… 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.

Outline of H.I.B. personnel Anti-Bullying Coordinator (District) Coordinates and strengthens district HIB policy to prevent, identify, and address HIB Provides data, in collaboration with the superintendent to the NJDOE Anti-Bullying Specialist (School) Leads the investigation of reported HIB incidents Acts as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying, and addressing incidents of HIB in the school School Safety Team (School) Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including HIB issues Identify and address patterns of HIB in the school Strengthen the school climate

H.I.B. Timelines All acts reported verbally on the same day Reported in writing to the building principal within 2 days of the “event” Investigation shall be initiated within 1 school day of the report The investigation shall be completed as soon as possible – no later than 10 school days Results reported to the superintendent within 2 days of the completion  

H.I.B. Timeline continued Results reported to the board of education by the meeting following the completion of the investigation Parents of all parties of the investigation notified within 5 school days after presentation to the board Parent request a hearing before the board after receiving the information, within 10 days of the request Next board of education meeting following its receipt of the report, the board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the superintendent’s decision The board’s decision may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education no later than 90 days after the issuance of the board’s decision. A parent, student, guardian, or organization may file a complaint with the Division on Civil Rights within 180 days of the occurrence of any incident of HIB based on the membership in a protected group as enumerated in the “Law Against Discrimination,” P.L. 1945, c. 169 (C. 10:5-1 et seq.)

Data Collection to the state… Twice a year, the district is required to report a collection to the state under the Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System (E.V.V.R.S.) online system Period 1 - July 1st to December 30th Period 2 - January 1st to June 30th What is sent to the state on these dates? All programs that are put in place for each building Report of violence, vandalism at each building Trainings provided at each school or district wide Programs that are provided at each school or district wide

District comparison of H.I.B. Investigations and Trainings 2014 – 15 Period 1 Period 2 2015 – 16 Period 1 Period 2 # of HIB Investigations 3 15 5 26 # of confirmed HIB 2 8 Total # of Trainings 40 30 36 85 Total # of Programs 31 14

District Comparison of Violence and Vandalism 2014 – 15 Period 1 Period 2 2015 – 16 Period 1 Period 2 Total Counts of Incidents 3 1 Vandalism Incidents involving cost to the District

How do we address H.I.B. in the Glen Ridge Public School? Sample of activities in each building: DISTRICT WIDE Week of Respect FOREST AVENUE SCHOOL Forest Character Trait program LINDEN AVENUE SCHOOL Paws Up for Respect RIDGEWOOD AVENUE SCHOOL Block the Bully GLEN RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Heroes and Cool Kids

School Self-Assessment under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (ABR) The A.B.S. at each school uses a rubric to grade itself on the following Core Elements: Core Element #1: HIB Programs, Approaches or Other Initiatives The school annually established HIB programs, approaches or other initiatives. Core Element #2: Training on the BOE-approved HIB Policy and Procedures School employees, contracted service providers and volunteers were provided training on the HIB policy. Core Element #3: Other Staff Instruction and Training Programs Each teaching staff member completed at least 2 hours of instruction in suicide prevention that included information on HIB, in each five-year professional development period.

School Self-Assessment continued… Core Element #4: Curriculum and Instruction on HIB and Related Information and Skills The school observed the “Week of Respect,” during the week beginning with the first Monday in October of each year, recognizing the importance of character education by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on HIB prevention. Core Element #5: HIB Personnel The principal appointed a school anti-bullying specialist (ABS). Core Element #6: School-Level HIB Incident Reporting Procedure The school implemented the district’s procedure for reporting new information on a prior HIB report. Core Element #7: HIB Investigation Procedure Notification to parents of alleged offenders and alleged victims in each reported HIB incident. Core Element #8: HIB Reporting The school has a procedure for ensuring that staff member reports (i.e., verbal and written) include the required information for all incidents of violence, vandalism and HIB.

School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades District and School Grade Report 2014-15 SCHOOL GRADE (max=78) 2015-16 SCHOOL GRADE (max=78) Glen Ridge High School 72 74 Ridgewood Ave. School 76 77 Forest Avenue School 75 Linden Avenue School District Grade