Key Characteristics of Bullying 0 Bullying differs from other forms of peer aggression in that there is an imbalance in power. In this way, it is similar to child abuse or intimate partner violence. 0 Consequences of frequent bullying (once a week or more) are serious. Children who are bullied may experience related depression, school avoidance, or social anxiety, often into adulthood. Children who bully are at a higher risk of subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system and of continuing bullying in adult life. Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 2
Key Characteristics of Bullying 0 Peers are typically involved as bystanders. The behavior and attitudes of bystanders can inhibit or facilitate bullying behaviors. If peers support the targeted child or express disapproval of the bullying child, bullying usually subsides. Most children who bully are sensitive to peer responses to their behavior. Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 3
Key Characteristics of Bullying 0 Children who bully are not necessarily lacking in self-esteem, empathy, or general social skills. However, such children are more likely than children who do not bully to have lower competence in managing emotions, empathy, evaluation of consequences and problem solving. Many children who bully are popular among peers and with adults. 0 While family and community environment, peer associations and personality traits do influence bullying behaviors, the most important factor determining the occurrence of bullying in schools is school climate. School climate is generally defined as the subjective experience or perception of the school by students and school personnel. School climate is primarily influenced by school norms, disciplinary practices, and the behavior of adults in the school. Source: NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention (www.njbullying.org) Tel. 908-522-2581 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 4
Timeline Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 5
Timeline Handling Complaints 0 A school employee or contracted service provider who witnesses or receives reliable information regarding any incident of harassment, bullying or intimidation must verbally report the incident to the school principal on the same day the incident is witnessed or the reliable information is received 0 Principal advises the parent or guardian of all students involved in the alleged incident; if appropriate, principal discusses availability of counseling and other services 0 Within one school day of the report of the incident, the principal initiates an investigation which must be conducted by the school anti-bullying specialist; principal may appoint others to assist 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 6
Timeline Handling Complaints 0 Within two school days of witnessing or receiving credible information regarding the incident, school employee or contracted service provider must provide a written report to the building principal 0 Investigation must be completed ASAP, but not later than ten school days after the date of the written report of the incident 0 If relevant information comes in after the 10-day deadline, the ABS prepares an amendment to the investigation report 0 The principal reports the results of the investigation to the Superintendent within two school days after the completion of the report 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 7
Timeline Handling Complaints 0 Superintendent may decide to provide intervention services, establish training programs, impose discipline, order counseling or take other action 0 Superintendent reports results of all investigations to board at the next meeting following completion of the investigation 0 Within five days after the board receives report from superintendent, parents or guardians of the parties to the investigation receive written information about the investigation from the superintendent 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 8
Definition of Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 9
Definition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14 1 Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying means: 0 Any gesture, written, verbal or physical act or any electronic communication 0 Single incident or a series of incidents 0 Reasonably perceived as being motivated 0 Either by an 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 disability, or By any other distinguishing characteristic 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 10
Definition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14 1 0 Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds 0 That substantially 0 Disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students 0 And that a reasonable person should know Will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student s property, or 1 Bullets are not in the law. The definitional statute is broken down into parts to facilitate ease in understanding. Emphasis added and some language deleted. 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 11
Definition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying from the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14 1 Or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any group of students In a way to cause disruption in or interference with the orderly operation of the school Or 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 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 12
Relevant Board Policies 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 13
Board Policies 0 5350 Pupil Suicide Prevention 0 5512 Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying 0 5600 Code of Conduct 0 8461 Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 14
HIB Reporting Form 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 15
Forms Report of Allegations of HIB 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 16
Helpful Links & Resources 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 17
Helpful Resources Administration/Parents 0 District Website: www.southorangemaplewood.org 0 District Policies: http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/189610121793241930/blank/browse.asp?a=383&bm DRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55093 0 Individual School Websites 0 http://stopbullyingnow.com Researched based strategies to reduce bullying 0 NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention: www.njbullying.org 0 NJ Department of Education http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/ 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 18
QUESTIONS??? 9/28/2011 Anti-Bullying Training 19