Maggie E. Dock, Supervisor of Guidance/HSSC

Irvington Public SchoolsAnti-Bullying Specialist TrainingApril 10, 2014The climate in a school can either make everything possible or not make everything possible.” ~Steve Bollar Maggie E. Dock, Supervisor of Guidance/HSSC

Defining HIB • Does the victim feel: • Threatened? • Powerless? • Physically or Emotionally Vulnerable? • Is the aggressor trying to intentionally embarrass the victim? • Does the behavior violate the victim’s self image? • Is HIB motivated by: sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, physical characteristic, or mental/physical impairment?

State Definition Expanded • A single incident of behavior can be construed as an act of HIB. • Behavior “off school grounds” is now included if it “substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of the other students”.

Additional Roles for Some Staff • District Anti-Bullying Coordinator-Maggie E. Dock Provides consultation to anti-bullying specialists, tracks and reports HIB data, meets with School Safety Teams, and coordinates District HIB initiatives. • School Level Anti-Bullying Specialist-Guidance Counselor Leads the investigations of all reported incidents of HIB and serves as the Chairperson of the School Safety Team.

Additional Roles for Some Staff • School Safety Team – Is mandated to be in place at each school. The Team will review HIB data to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate by focusing on the on-going, systemic processes and practices in the school and to address school climate issues.

Duty to Report Mandated with Timelines • All staff, service providers, substitutes, Board Members, and volunteers who come in contact with students have a mandated duty to report incidents of HIB. This includes incidents that they witnessed or about which they have obtained reliable information. • Each HIB incident must be reported in writing to the principal/designee on the day that it occurred.

Duty to Report Mandated with Timelines • Report can be made electronically, verbally (and later documented), and in writing. • Report can be made anonymously. • Reporting procedures must be publicized on District and School websites. • Report MUST include a protected category sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, physical characteristic, or mental/physical impairment • (otherwise, it is a discipline referral)

Investigation Process Defined • Principal/Designee (primary) or Anti-Bullying Specialist (secondary) receives an Incident Report • Forwards the Report to the ABS if the behavior is motivated by a “protected category.” Otherwise, it is a Code of Conduct investigation. • Principal/Designee calls parents to inform of alleged HIB incident (same day of incident), and documents the contact. • Anti-Bullying Specialist begins the investigation within 2 school days. • If HIB is substantiated, victim and offender are referred to a Health and Social Services Counselor within 48 hours. Offender receives appropriate remediation and/or disciplinary action.

Investigation Process Defined • Anti-Bullying Specialist will: • Interview all parties involved including witnesses (meet with victim and aggressor separately). • Provide support to victim • Carefully examine the facts • Make a determination if the incident is HIB • Notify the principal of the results of the investigation using the district form.

Investigation Process Defined • Anti-Bullying Specialist will: • Maintain confidential documentation of all witness statements, offender statements, victim statements, and all supporting documentation in a file cabinet labeled and placed in alphabetical order by victim. • Notify parents of victim and aggressor when investigation has concluded (no details regarding names should be provided) • Investigation must be completed within 10 school days. • Forward a summary and determination to the ABC, the day the investigation is completed. This will be forwarded to the Superintendent’s office, within 2 days of the completion of the investigation.

Investigation Process Defined • The building principal, as the person primarily charged with maintaining the safety of his/her school, may respond to alleged acts of HIB in accordance with the District Student Code of Conduct, offering remediation or disciplinary consequences prior to the completion of the HIB investigation.

Investigation Process Defined • Principal • Reviews, dates, and co-signs the completed investigation form • Determines discipline or remedial action • Forwards district forms and supporting documentation to Superintendent via the District Anti-Bullying Coordinator within two days of completion.

Investigation Process Defined • Superintendent • Reviews the results of the investigation • Reports the results to the BOE at the next meeting. • Provides a written report to the parents of the parties involved (within five school days after the investigation results are presented to and approved by the BOE).

Reporting Requirements • Data on reported incidents of HIB will be provided to the Board of Education and the community at a public hearing, which will be held twice a year, between September 1 and January 1 and between January 1 and June 30. The Superintendent will also report on all acts of violence and vandalism at these meetings.

Reporting Requirements • HIB information shall also be reported via the Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System once during each reporting period between September 1 and January 1 and between January 1 and June 30, to the Department of Education. • Department of Education will issue HIB grades to each school and the district.

Appeal Process Added • Parents • May request an appeal of the determination by writing to the BOE.

Determining Remedial Action or Consequence Consider: • The developmental age of the student • Number of offenses • History between students • Pertinent family issues • Discipline in accordance with IEP

Range of Remedial Measures • Counseling • Restitution and Restoration • Mediation • Behavioral Assessment • Behavioral Management Plan

Retaliation • District policy provides that a student may be found to have committed an act of HIB without being the one who performed the overt act. • If the aggressor retaliates against the victim or witness who reported an incident of HIB, he or she is subject to the same or higher level of consequence than was given for the original incidence of HIB.

Promoting a Positive Culture in Our Schools • Awareness of the new HIB policy and procedures • Annually disseminate HIB Policy and school procedures to parents, students, and staff. • Post HIB Policy and Anti-Bullying Specialist information on district and school web sites. • Provide HIB training to parents and community • Student awareness and HIB intervention • During the first weeks of school provide classroom and/or small group assemblies to train students on HIB. • Schedule Week of Respect activities

Getting the Word Out • The principal must ensure that all staff members are trained and familiar with the HIB policy and school procedures. • Principal must submit a signed form to the District Office attesting to the fact that all staff members in the building have been trained. • All staff members are mandated reporters and subject to disciplinary action for failure to report an incidence of HIB.

Getting the Word Out • Include in school handbook • Include on school and district websites • Distribute information to staff, students, and parents. • Post information in the building and have available in Administrative and Parent Coordinator’s offices. • Train new staff throughout the school year. • ONLINE Tutorial: http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/tutorials/

Maggie E. Dock, Supervisor of Guidance/HSSC