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Byram Lakes Elementary School September 12, 2013 Tim McCorkle, Dean of Students Sarah Scott, School Counselor

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School bullying has received increased attention in recent years NJ has emphasized the importance of protecting students through Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR) The ABR became a law in NJ in January 2011 The law increases NJs response to bullying

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15-20% of all students are victimized by bullies at some point in their school career Almost one in three children nationwide is involved in bullying as a bully or victim 160,000 children miss school every day in the US for fear of being bullied About 20% of students have reported being victimized by online bullying

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Bully / Aggressor A student or an adult who harasses, intimidates or bullies another person(s), where the behavior is one-sided. Bullying (Referring to harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) as it is defined in the ABR) It usually involves conduct where one or more students are victims of another persons aggression that has not been caused by the victims, and emotionally or physically harms the victims and disrupts the educational process.

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Conflict A disagreement, argument, fight or other action between people when they want different things and everyone is equally involved. Victim A student who is harassed, intimidated or bullied by another student or an adult. Bystander / Witness Students and other people who witness bullying, and who do or say nothing to stop it or help the victims.

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The ABR defines harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) as any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated 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; and 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

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a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the students property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property; or Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a students education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student. (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14)

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The ABR does not explain the meaning of a distinguishing characteristic Websters Ninth Collegiate Dictionary defines the word distinguish as to perceive a difference in to mark as separate or different to separate into kinds, classes or categories to set above or apart from others to single out

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Motivation for the behavior is a key factor Typically considered HIB if aggressor is targeting race, color, religion, physical characteristics, etc.

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Conflict and bullying can often look similar In a conflict: students are equally involved in some type of disagreement it is mutual, there is no imbalance of power reflects differences of opinion, differences in the way something is perceived, or lack of information Conflict is a normal part of growing up and everyday life

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In a bullying situation: there is no mutual participation it is one-sided, there is an imbalance of power the aggressor behavior is uninvited by the victim the intent is to cause physical or emotional harm Bullying is NOT a normal part of growing up!

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Grade LevelConflictBullying Kindergarten Student You copied my picture..you stole my idea! No I didnt..you copied my picture! A fellow student grabs the picture you colored and tears it up, calling you names related to your religion and cultural heritage. Fourth Grade Student After you borrowed my basketball, I asked that you return it and you didnt! I did return itI left it on your porch. While practicing basketball skills in the gym, several students sit nearby and call out insulting comments about the color of your skin and your basketball skills.

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Bullying can be direct (face-to-face) It can also be indirect (behind someones back) Generally, there are four types of bullying: Verbal- name calling, taunting, teasing, threats Physical- shoving, punching, spitting, damaging property Psychological- spreading rumors, excluding Electronic- using the internet, mobile phone, or other electronic equipment used to harm others

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Schools are required to take specific steps, and meet each deadline when a written or verbal report of bullying arises Schools are required to begin a formal investigation, whenever bullying is suspected, regardless of whether it is perceived to be a case of conflict Parents of students involved are contacted by the principal, or principals designee as soon as possible.

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Principal will notify Anti-Bullying Specialist (Counselor) within one day of the report Investigation is initiated by the Specialist within one day of the verbal report

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Written report must be submitted to the Principal within 2 days of the verbal report

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Investigation is completed within 10 days of receiving the reportcollaborative approach used in reaching a decision, yet mindful of confidentiality Written report of investigation is provided by Principal to Superintendent within 2 days of completion

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Report presented by Superintendent to BOE at the next board meeting; report includes actions taken & recommendations Within 5 school days of report to BOE, parents/guardians of all students involved in investigation are provided, in writing, information about the investigation

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Parents may request a hearing before the Board of Education Hearing is held within ten days of the request The BOE shall then issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify Superintendents decision at the next board meeting

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Parents, student, or organization may file an appeal with the Commissioner of Education Parents, student, or organization may file a complaint with the Division of Civil Rights

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A great deal of time and consideration goes into the decision making process Difficult decisions are never made by one individual alone Our number one concern is student safety and emotional well-being

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Do not use one size fits all approach Assign remedial measures/consequences that best suits each individual Learning opportunity Examples: Devise and construct anti-bullying themed posters during recess period reflective lunch Plan and present lesson to class Change seating arrangements Counseling Family referrals

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The School Safety and Climate Team (SST) is made of school staff including Anti-Bullying Specialist, Principal, teachers, other staff, and parent member Review records of all reports of HIB Identify and address patterns of HIB in the school Review and strengthen policies and programs for prevention of HIB Participate in pertinent trainings

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Our Goal is to help create a school environment which minimizes bullying and protects students from harm

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Listen to your child, take their concerns seriously Encourage your child to report the incident to an adult at school (principal, DOS, counselor, teacher, etc.) or use Bully Box in Main Office Avoid encouraging your child to get back at the aggressor

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Education Law Center www.edlawcenter.org (973) 624-1815, (973) 624-4618 Garden State Equality http://www.gardenstateequality.org 1-877- NJBULLY or text NJBULLY to 66746 New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention www.njbullying.org (908) 522-2581 New Jersey State Bar Foundation www.njsbf.org (732) 937-7517 New Jersey Division on Civil Rights www.njcivilrights.org (609) 292-4605 Youth Consultation Service Center for the Prevention of Violence www.ycs.org (973) 482-8411 www.stopbullying.gov

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Beaudoin, M., and Taylor, M. Breaking the Culture of Bullying and Disrespect, Grades K-8: Best Practices and Successful Strategies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2004. Dellasega, C., and Nixon, C. Girl Wars: 12 Strategies That Will End Female Bullying. New York: Fireside, 2003. Olweus, D. Bullying at School: What we Know and What we Can Do. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1994. Shore, K. The ABCs of Bullying Prevention. Port Chester, NY: Dude Publishing, Revised 2011. Willard, N. E., and Steiner, K. Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats: Responding to the Challenge of Online Social Aggression, Threats, and Distress. Champaign, IL: Research Press, 2008.

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Akili. Marianthes Story: Painted Words/Spoken Memories. New York: Greenwillow, 1998. Berenstain. S. The Berenstain Bears and the Bully. New York: Random House, 1993. Coleman, M. Weirdos War. New York: Orchard Books, 1998. Cox, J. Mean Mean Maureen Green. New York: Bantam Doubleday, 2001. Dadley, D. King of the Kooties. New York: Walker Publishing, 2001. Koss, A. The Girls. New York: Puffin Books, 2000. Polacco, P. Thank You, Mr. Falker. New York, Philomel Books, 1998.

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We would appreciate your participation in a parent survey related to school climate and culture One per household Voluntary Anonymous Data to yield valuable information for SST

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www.stopbullying.gov http://www.state.nj.us/education/students /safety/behavior/hib/ParentGuide.pdf www.njsbf.org Shore, K. An Educators Guide to Bullying Prevention. Port Chester, NY: Dude Publishing, 2011.