Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Overview

1. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Overview Welcome back! Matthew Huminski District Anti-bullying Coordinator Ext. 3019

2. Our Common Vision

3. 2012-2013 Anti-Bullying Specialists

4. Definition of HIB Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act or electronic communication, whether it is a single incident or a series of incidents, that is: • Reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristics, 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; and that • Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds, as provided in NJSA 18A:37-15.3, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other pupils; and that

5. Definition of HIB • A reasonable person should know under the circumstances will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property, or • Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils, or • Creates a hostile educational environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the pupil.

6. What is needed to have HIB? • MOTIVATION • LOCATION • HARM • IF ALL THESE THREE THINGS ARE PRESENT- THEN YOU HAVE HIB CASE

7. Motivation • On your Bullying Reporting Form there will be a section that looks like this: Alleged Motivation: _____ Race, _____ Color, _____ Religion, _____ Ancestry, _____ Origin, _____ Gender, _____ Sexual Orientation, _____ Gender Identity & Expression, _____ Mental, Physical or Sensory Disability, _____ Other Distinguishing Characteristics IF YOU CANNOT CHECK ONE OF THESE DESCRIPTIONS IT IS NOT HIB!

8. Motivation • Other distinguishing characteristics may be, but not limited to: • Academically gifted children • Wearing glasses, hair color, hair style, etc. • Children living in non-traditional families • Overweight or obese children • Small or physically weak children • Economically disadvantaged children • Children considered unattractive, unfashionable • Research indicates the reason most frequently cited for being harassed is a student’s physical appearance.

9. Location • On your Bullying Reporting Form there will be a section that looks like this: Alleged Location: _____ School Property, _____ School Sponsored Function, _____School Bus, _____ Off School Grounds- that substantially disrupts the operation of the school or rights of people Please identify specifics on the above checked item: ________________________________________ PLEASE BE SURE TO BE SURE THE LAST LINE IS ALWAYS FILLED OUT!!

10. Harm • From the Bully Reporting Form: • Please describe in detail your knowledge of this event. Please include specific locations and any person who may have additional knowledge of this event. Also include any interventions used for these students. Use the back of this form and additional sheets as needed. • Form found on District Anti-bullying website

11. The Process Start to Finish • A HIB incident is reported by a student, family member, community member, etc. • The person who receives the report must immediately contact the administration of the building to inform them of the HIB. • The administration will call the parents and inform them that there will be an investigation. • The person who received the HIB claim must fill out and turn in the Bully Report Form with-in one school day.

12. The Process Start to Finish • Upon receiving the Bully Report Form the administration turns the Report to the ABS. • The ABS must conduct a separate investigation to determine if the case meets the definition of HIB with in 10 school days. • The ABS will report to the Principal the results of the investigation and the Intervention sheet will be filled out. • The parents will be notified by letter of the results.

13. The Process Start to Finish • The Principal will then turn the whole investigation packet over to the Superintendent who will review each case. • The Superintendent will report all investigations to the Board of Education at their next meeting. • The Superintendent will then send a letter to the parents informing them it was reported to the Board • The Board will then vote to accept all HIB decisions as final at their next meeting.

14. The Importance of HIB • New Jersey says that a single incident can be HIB! • Do not take a chance! • Report and document • Ask questions

15. School Safety Teams • SST is comprised of: • ABS, Principal, at least one Parent, Teachers • SST’s purpose is two-fold: • Review HIB instances and make recommendations to help improve areas of weakness (Parents may not participate) • Improve School Culture

16. School Culture There have been a lot of suggestions from a variety of people that suggested having a Character Education program in place might help and be a positive for the district. Many programs were researched but ultimately it was decided that we work with Sandy Queen… Yes the same Sandy Queen who motivated us and inspired us during the opening day last year.

17. Character Education Program The Character Education program that with your help will permeate the Deptford Township Schools was selected in large part because it is NOT a program where everything stops multiple times a month for mini-lessons… it was designed with teachers in mind and for the teacher to have the ability to weave the program into what you already do… But to introduce the program please welcome back Sandy Queen