Byram Lakes Elementary School September 12, 2013 Tim McCorkle, Dean of Students Sarah Scott, School...
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Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Information Byram Lakes Elementary School September 12, 2013 Tim McCorkle, Dean of Students Sarah Scott, School Counselor
Byram Lakes Elementary School September 12, 2013 Tim McCorkle, Dean of Students Sarah Scott, School Counselor
Byram Lakes Elementary School September 12, 2013 Tim McCorkle,
Dean of Students Sarah Scott, School Counselor
Slide 2
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
Slide 3
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
Slide 4
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.
Slide 5
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.
Slide 6
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
Slide 7
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)
Slide 8
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
Slide 9
Motivation for the behavior is a key factor Typically
considered HIB if aggressor is targeting race, color, religion,
physical characteristics, etc.
Slide 10
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
Slide 11
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!
Slide 12
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.
Slide 13
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
Slide 14
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.
Slide 15
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
Slide 16
Written report must be submitted to the Principal within 2 days
of the verbal report
Slide 17
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
Slide 18
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
Slide 19
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
Slide 20
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
Slide 21
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
Slide 22
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
Slide 23
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
Slide 24
Our Goal is to help create a school environment which minimizes
bullying and protects students from harm
Slide 25
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
Slide 26
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
Slide 27
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.
Slide 28
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.
Slide 29
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
Slide 30
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.