Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
The Rahway Board of Education prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a student. A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe and disciplined environment. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that may involve a real or perceived power imbalance. Since students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Definition
“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents that:
- Is reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any 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;
- Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37- 15.3;
- Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students; and that
- A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to their person or damage to their 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 student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.
Are all conflicts bullying?
Conflicts at school will occur. However, conflict and bullying are very different. Conflict is considered mutual, meaning all participants play some part in initiating, continuing, or engaging in the disagreement. Bullying, on the other hand, is one-sided. There is no mutual participation in the actions. It may or may not involve several people. Although not all incidents will fall under the definition of HIB this does not mean that the situation will not be dealt with appropriately. All conduct infractions are subject to the Code of Student Conduct.
What should a parent do if they believe their child is being bullied?
If you suspect your child is being bullied at school, report the matter to school officials, fill out an HIB complaint, and assure your child that school personnel will assist in helping to resolve the problem.
How is an incident of HIB substantiated?
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 any 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, 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:
- A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, 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 student or group of students; 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.
What are the requirements for addressing HIB that occurs off school grounds?
School districts are responsible for addressing HIB that occurs off school grounds when a school employee is made aware of the HIB, and the HIB substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students. The responses to HIB that occur off school grounds shall be consistent with the BOE’s code of student conduct and with other provisions of the BOE’s HIB policy.
If an incident is determined not to be HIB, does that mean that the school won’t look into the matter?
NO. Many incidents that do not fall under the law’s definition will violate the School’s Code of Conduct. In such a case, consequences will be imposed even before an HIB investigation is initiated.