New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

January 6, 2011 Governor Christie signed into law the “A ti b ll i Bill f Ri ht ”“Anti-bullying Bill of Rights”.

The new law went into effect September 1st 2011.p

The law substantially changes the investigative process and documentation of bullying incidentsdocumentation of bullying incidents.

A significant amount of time and training is needed to meet g gthe new requirements.

New definition of bullying Cl ifi d t ff h l dClarifies conduct off school grounds Creates School Safety Team◦ Scott Yerger, Leslie Callanan, Jen Leap, Dave Moscowitz,

ith P tti F d L i h A C iwith Patti Farrar and Leigh Ann Cascio.New investigation process and timelineNew reporting proceduresNew discipline proceduresAppeal processEach school must have:ac sc oo ust ave:◦ An Anti-Bullying Specialist (Guidance Counselor)◦ An Anti-Bullying Coordinator (Principal or Assistant

Principal)Principal)

New Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Policy i d B d d t d S t 1strequired- Board adopted Sept. 1st

Policy is posted on the school websiteNew State reporting requirements for bullying Incidentsp g q y gNew State grading for schoolsNew parent, staff, and Board training requirements and ongoing professional developmentongoing professional development Week of Respect (Beginning the first Monday in October)

Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (HIB) means ANY gesture, ANY written, verbal or physical act, or g , , p y ,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 orperceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or mental physical or sensoryidentity and expression, or mental, physical, or sensory disability or any other distinguishing characteristics that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored f nction on a school b s or off school grounds thatfunction, 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.

MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS in addition to matching the definition gand causing substantial disruption or interference:

A reasonable person should know the behavior will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming ahave the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property.Has effect of insulting or demeaning student or group of

dstudents.Creates hostile educational environment for student by interfering with student’s education or severely or g ypervasively causing physical or emotional harm to student.

‣ The new law states that schools have a duty to address b ll i th t ff h l d IF th b h ibullying that occurs off school grounds IF the behavior meets the legal definition, including: ‣ Causing a substantial disruption, AND

Ei h‣ Either‣ Demeaning a student or group of students‣ Creating a hostile educational environment

‣ Examples:‣ Student A post messages about Student B on Facebook.

Student B’s grades drop as a result.‣ Students fight at basketball game off school grounds,

one student after the fight is fearful or distracted at school.

Anti-bullying specialist (Jen Leap)◦ Is the primary school official responsible for preventingIs the primary school official responsible for preventing,

identifying, addressing, and investigating incidents of bullying.◦ Must be a psychologist social worker or school counselor-

Ms. Leap will assume this responsibility. She is also required to chair the school safety team.required to chair the school safety team.

Anti-bullying coordinator (Scott Yerger)◦ Mr. Yerger will assume this role which involves

collaborating with the anti bullying specialist, superintendent, and Board of Education to prevent, identify and address bullyingidentify, and address bullying.

School Safety Team◦ Will include Mr. Yerger, Dr. Callanan, Mr. Moscowitz,

Ms. Leap, Mrs. Farrar, and Mrs. Cascio◦ The team is charged with receiving all complaints◦ The team is charged with receiving all complaints,

reviewing investigative reports, strengthening school climate, identifying and addressing patterns of bullying, educating staff and community members along with collaborating on data collection and policy.

All alleged acts of HIB are reported to the principalThe parents of students that may have committed an act of HIB or are the target of HIB will be notifiedAll alleged acts of HIB need to be reported in writing within two school days when school personnel received reliable information of and HIB incidentreliable information of and HIB incidentInvestigation shall be initiated by the principal and conducted within 10 school days of and initial HIB co duc ed w sc oo d ys o dreport by the anti-bullying specialist

The investigation results shall be reported to the Superintendent within 2 school days of the completed investigationI i i l h ll b d h BOE hInvestigation results shall be reported to the BOE at the next board meeting following an investigationParents who are parties to the HIB investigation willParents who are parties to the HIB investigation will receive information about the investigation within 5 school days after the BOE meetingy gA parent may request in writing a hearing before the Board after receiving the investigation summary

At the next board meeting following a report or hearing the Board shall affirm, reject, or modify the Superintendent decisionTh B d’ d i i b l d hThe Board’s decision may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education no later than 90 days after the decisionthe decision

Report to Board-Superintendent must report to the BOE at the next board meeting following completion of a bullying investigation. Report to parent/guardian-District must provided information to parent ofReport to parent/guardian District must provided information to parent of alleged bully (ies) AND victim (s) about investigation and finding within 5 school days after investigation results are give to the board.Board hearing- Parent may request confidential hearing before board of education which must occur within 10 calendar days of request. Board Decision- Board must issue, in writing, to affirm, reject or modify the superintendant’s decision, at the next board meeting following receipt of report. Board decision may be appealed to Commissioner of Education within 90Board decision may be appealed to Commissioner of Education within 90 calendars Civil Rights Complaint- Parents may file a complaint with the NJ Division on Civil Rights 180 calendar days of incident, or in state or federal court, if HIB is g ybased on a membership in a protected group under the state law.ECS Investigation- Executive county superintendent shall investigate a complaint of a violation by a school district when the complaint is not d t l dd d t th l l l ladequately addressed at the local level.

‣ Prior to the new bill, Kingwood has been proactively addressing interpersonal conflictg p‣ Foster positive school climate‣ Active guidance program with an anti-bullying

component‣ Emphasis on Character Counts initiatives‣ Open door policy for students to seek support‣ Open door policy for students to seek support‣ Use the Hazelden No Bullying Prevention Program ‣ Week of Respect (First week in October)p ( )

Students in our district sign a “no bullying” pledge as part f ti b ll i lof our anti bullying lessons.

The Bucket Cards◦ Staff and students create cards recognizing children whoStaff and students create cards recognizing children who

demonstrate good character and helping behaviors.Conflict Resolution Reporting Box◦ A box is located outside our guidance counselor’s room.

Students may request help with solving an interpersonal problemproblem.

Character Trait of the Month A h t t it ill b l t d h l id th◦ A character trait will be selected as a school wide theme each month.

Student of the MonthStudent of the Month◦ Each grade level will choose one student who displays

characteristics that represent that month’s character trait. Peer Leaders◦ Established group of 7th and 8th grade students who serve

as role models They will assist with various programsas role models. They will assist with various programs and activities.

Hazelden is a leader in anti-bullying initiatives.B d h f D D Ol f di f h fBased on research of Dr. Dan Olweus, founding father of research on students who bully.Lessons include:Lessons include: ◦ Effective communication◦ Processing feelings◦ Problem solving ◦ Conflict management

D l i C i Skill d St t i◦ Developing Coping Skills and Strategies

Nash, David. (2011, March). Bullying: Prevention, T i i I ti ti d R ti P t iTraining, Investigation, and Reporting. Poster session presented at School Leader Training Workshop, Flemington, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Education. (2011). Retrieved M h 21 2011 f htt // jdMarch 21, 2011, from http://njdoe.gov.