1. HIB: Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying Information & School policy
Sussex County Technical School
Ada Guarcello: Anti-Bullying Specialist
Debbie Keiper: Anti-Bullying Coordinator

2. Anti-bullying bill of rights
HIB: New Jersey Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying Law passed by the legislature for the 2011 – 2012 school year.
Definition:
The law defines harassment, intimidation or bullying as “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 either by any actual or perceived characteristic…. that takes place on school property, at any school –sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds… 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 a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage his property.”

3. Anti-bullying bill of rights: key points
This law significantly strengthened the existing laws
The law calls for the school to appoint an anti-bullying specialist: Ada Guarcello
The law calls for the school to appoint an anti-bullying coordinator: Debra Keiper
The law states that there must be training for these positions and there are very strict timelines to follow; all staff must also receive training
The law also covers bullying that takes place on school property, at any school sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds and includes cyber bullying on any social network

4. Sussex county technical school HIB policy
Course of Action:
Requires all school employees, volunteers and contracted service providers who have contact with students report alleged HIB incidents to the Principal or Anti-Bullying Coordinator/Specialist
ABS informs principal on SAME DAY; parents of all parties involved are notified
Formal investigation conducted by Anti-Bullying Specialist and administrator; allowed 10 school days to complete
Principal reviews HIB report at next board meeting (no names are used)
Parents of pupils who are parties to the investigation shall be provided with information regarding investigation
Nature of investigation, whether the district found evidence of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or whether consequences were imposed or services provided to address the incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying
Parent may request hearing before the Board of Education after receiving information

5. Sussex county technical school HIB policy: Important to know…
Incident must meet very specific criteria to be substantiated as HIB
Any (MUST include ALL factors):
Gesture, act, or electronic communication
Single incident or series of incidents
Motivated by a distinguishing characteristic (real or perceived)
On or Off school grounds
Substantially disrupts or interferes with the operations of the school and/or the rights of a student or group of students.
AND that (any ONE of these):
Reasonable person would know would cause physical or emotional harm or damage to property (or would cause fear of such) OR
Insults or demeans a person or group of people
Creates a hostile environment by interfering with education OR severely or pervasively causing harm.

6. Sussex county technical school HIB policy: Important to know…
Parents:
Once words “harassment”, “intimidation”, or “bullying” are used, investigation must be initiated
Expect a phone call if you are a parent/guardian of the “victim” or “bully”
Understand that phone call does NOT mean that the school is accusing your child of being a bully
ABS/ABC/Administration must follow protocol for EVERY report

7. Sussex county technical school HIB policy: Important to know…
Parents:
Do not be discouraged if your HIB report does not meet HIB criteria!
DOE’s definition differs from widely accepted definition
Incident will be addressed, regardless
Violation of code of conduct
Remedial or disciplinary action given

8. Sussex county technical school HIB policy: Important to know…
Parents:
You are only privy to certain information
We are NOT allowed to provide you with the name of the accused/victim and specific action taken (i.e. detention, suspension, etc.)
We are NOT allowed to discuss a student’s academic or disciplinary history/record
Don’t always believe what you hear
You are NOT allowed to see witness statements or any other documentation related to the report
We are ONLY allowed to disclose:
If there was evidence of HIB
If there was disciplinary/remedial action imposed

9. Conflict vs. bullying Conflict Bullying One sided
Reflects differences of opinion, differences in the way something is perceived, or lack of information
Includes disagreements, arguments, and fights
A normal part of growing up and life
Mutually competitive or opposing action
Usually occurs in the heat of the moment
One sided
The intent is to physically or emotionally hurt someone
The act was motivated by a distinguishing characteristic, real or perceived
Enjoyment of the effects on the student being bullied by the person (people) doing the bullying

10. Sussex county technical school HIB policy
Possible Consequences/Disciplinary Actions
Deprivation of privileges
Classroom or administrative detention
Referral to disciplinarian
Out-of school suspension
Police intervention

11. Sussex county technical school HIB policy
Remedial Measures
Referral to Student Center
Parent conferences
Alternative placement
Essay writing

12. What we are doing The Kind Campaign Kind Club
An internationally recognized movement, documentary and school program based upon the powerful belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl “crime.”
Our goal is to bring the female student body closer together to create a KINDer school environment. Once this happens, we hope to see the movement ripple through the school hallways and classrooms.
By simply starting an open and honest dialogue about the numerous struggles girl’s face, girls truly feel empowered to break down social barriers, lean on each other and create change.

13. What we are doing

14. What we are doing
10/02/17 – 10/06/17: Week of Respect
● All teachers will infuse anti-bullying lessons into their classroom instruction. Teachers will be using the Building Blocks anti-bullying curriculum and other suggestions from the DOE.
● Students in art classes will create anti-bullying posters/slogans. The posters will be displayed around the school.
● John Halligan will be our guest speaker on Monday 10/02. He will share the story of his son who committed suicide after being cyber bullied.
● Kind Club members will host an “apology booth”.
● Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to be implemented.

15. Parents of Victimized Students Parents of Bullying Students
What You Can Do
Parents of Victimized Students
Parents of Bullying Students
LISTEN!
Don’t minimize
Acknowledge their feelings & concerns
Show appreciation
Say you’re sorry it happened
Refer when needed
Genuinely care
LISTEN!
Acknowledge their feelings & concerns
Don’t judge or blame
Don’t be adversarial
Share positives about their child
Have facts & clear policies

17. references Horne, A.M., Orphinas, P. (2009). Family and
school interventions for persistent bullies. University of Georgia.
Springer, J. (2011). Bullying prevention. Ceceilyn Miller Institute for Diversity and Leadership.
Riese, J. (2011). Bullying prevention: Top ten most effective school-based strategies. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
Harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention and intervention strategies for administrators. New Jersey Department of Education. Retrieved from

18. Helpful resources
New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention:
Cyber bullying Research Center:
Stop Bullying.Gov:
U.S. Department of Justice, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section:
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays:
New Jersey State police:
Fight crime: Invest in Kids:
New Jersey Department of education, Keeping our Kids Safe, Healthy and in School:
Garden State Equality: