SOUTH BRUNSWICK
SCHOOL DISTRICT
GUIDE TO THE ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF
RIGHTS ACT
REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST:
Adopt a harassment, intimidation, and bullying policy
New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill in compliance with the Act.
of Rights Act was signed into Appoint roles that have specific statutory
law on January 5, 2011. The responsibilities: District Anti-Bullying Coordinator;
School Anti-Bullying Specialists; and School
provisions of this law took
Safety/Climate Teams
effect on September 1, 2011. Provide training to current and new school employees,
Within the latest revision of the volunteers and contracted service providers who have
law, there are several significant contact with pupils.
requirements. Create and implement a reporting procedure and an
investigation procedure.
Provide prevention programs to create a climate of
RESOURCES respect. Annual observances include: "Week of Respect"
and "School Violence Awareness Week."
For concerns or information, contact your
building principal or anti-bullying specialist
DEFINITION
(ABS) - contact information linked here.
"Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" is unwanted
Information regarding the full Board-approved
aggressive behavior that may involve a real or perceived
policy on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying power imbalance. It also means any gesture, any written,
can be found here. 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 as being motivated by either any
TOP TEN TIPS actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual
1. Know the "protected classes." orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental,
physical or sensory disability, or by any other
2. Not all "bad behavior" is HIB. It could be distinguishing characteristic;
conduct unbecoming or conflict. 2. Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored
function, on a school bus, or off school grounds, as
3. Choose your words carefully. You are a role provided for in N.J.S.A 18A:37-15.3;
model. 3. Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly
operation of the school or the rights of other students;
4. Be proactive in letting children know that
and that
you are a trusted adult a. A reasonable person should know, under the
circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of
5. Watch for the "hot spots" in your building
physically or emotionally harming a student or
and pay attention to areas where kids damaging the student's property, or placing a student
in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to
gather.
his/her person or damage to his/her property; or
6. Bullying thrives on silence. b. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or
group of students; or
7. Keep your eye on the target.
c. Creates a hostile educational environment for the
8. You can't judge a bully by its cover. student by interfering with a student's education or by
severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional
9. Your words and actions are powerful.
harm to the student
10. Be positive and show you care. Schools are required to address HIB occurring off school
grounds, when the HIB substantially disrupts or interferes
with the operation of the school or the rights of the student.
REVISED AUGUST 2020
SOUTH BRUNSWICK
SCHOOL DISTRICT
GUIDE TO THE ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF
RIGHTS ACT
PARENT STAFF REPORTING
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Verbally report the
Educate yourself on the law. incident to the school
Help your child if he/she is the
principal on the same day
target of a bully.
Work with the school if your child is that it occurred or when
a bully in order to help your child reliable information is
Encourage your child to be an
received.
"upstander".
Report all acts of harassment, 2. Within two school days,
intimidation, or bullying to the file a written report to the
building principal on the day of the
school principal describing
incident (witnessed, heard, or
reported to you). the incident.
Have open communication with
your child.
REVISED AUGUST 2020
