As you are aware, the Boonton Township School District disapproves of harassment, intimidation and bullying in all its forms and considers it a serious offense. Therefore, in accordance with New Jersey State law and the district's Board approved Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy, all matters of a harassment, intimidation and/or bullying nature will be thoroughly investigated by the school's Anti-Bullying Specialist and AntiBullying Coordinator.
All school employees and volunteers, are trained annually in the area of HIB and professionally and ethically obligated to verbally report alleged violations of the school's HIB policy to the administration.
Upon receipt of a HIB report, the school's Anti-Bullying Specialist and Anti-Bullying Coordinator will conduct a thorough investigation prior to making a determination, as to whether the incident rises to the level of a HIB infraction.
Rockaway Valley School's HIB reporting form can be downloaded from the list below. In addition to the reporting form, there are other resources for parents to review regarding HIB.
It is imperative that all members of the Boonton Township School District learning community maintain open lines of communication and work collaboratively toward preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
You can find the complete Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy (5131.1) in the Policy tab, here.
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Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Definition:
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"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:
1. Is reasonably perceived at 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;
2. 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;
3. Substantially disrupts or interferes with the with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students.
All 3 criteria need to be present in order for a situation to potentially be deemed an HIB. If there are less than 3, it is handled under Code of Conduct, Policy 5131.
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Conflict vs
Bullying |
Conflict:
- Happens because of an argument or disagreement
- Both people have equal power
- No serious, lasting harm
Bullying:
- Action of a person is motivated by race, religion, gender, physical disability, national origin, or other distinguishing characteristics
- Unequal balance of power
- Can be serious emotional or physical lasting harm
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