Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)
District HIB Information
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New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Right’s defines HIB as follows:
HIB means 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;
- Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or 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, 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; 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.
Please also see the attached
Parent Guide for the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act
Types of HIB
Bullying can occur in many different ways. Bullying can be direct (“face to face”) or indirect (“behind someone’s back). The type of bullying can affect the way parents describe or approach their child or a school about a bullying incident. Generally, there are four types of bullying behaviors:
- Verbal – Includes name calling, taunting, constant teasing or making threats;
- Physical – Includes hitting, punching, shoving, spitting, or taking or damaging personal belongings;
- Psychological – Includes spreading rumors, purposefully keeping people from activities and breaking up friendships or other relationships; and
- Electronic – Includes using the internet, mobile phone or other electronic equipment to intentionally harm others. (Cyberbullying)
Source: NJDOE Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122)
Conflicts vs. Bullying
During a conflict, name-calling, threats and other conduct that might look like bullying can occur. However, a conflict and bullying are very different.
Unlike bullying, during a conflict people are equally involved in some type of disagreement. Conflict is considered mutual, meaning everyone is more or less evenly involved.
Bullying, on the other hand, involves one or several people (the bullies) intentionally committing a mean or violent act against another person(s) or group of people (the victims). When bullying occurs, there is no mutual participation in a disagreement; it is one-sided.
Bullying victims have a hard time defending themselves. The victims want the bullying to stop, but the bully continues the behavior.
Conflicts and bullying can interrupt the school day, damage property and cause injuries to the people involved. However, when the behavior involves a conflict, the school will take action based on its code of student conduct instead of the ABR.
Bullying occurs when:
- One or more students are victims of unwanted or uninvited aggression, as the behavior applies to the definition of harassment, intimidation and bullying in the ABR;
- The aggressor’s behavior would lead a person to reasonably believe that the aggressor is motivated by a desire to physically or emotionally hurt someone;
- The aggression is one-sided; and
- The behavior is not an attempt to positively or negatively address or resolve a problem.
Source: NJDOE Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122)
Links
District HIB Contacts
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Michael McGovern, Director of Student Services
800 Hylton Road
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
856-662-8500 Ext. 5246
mmcgovern@pennsauken.net
Pennsauken High School
Taj Abdullah, School Counselor
856-662-8500 Ext. 5238
tajuddin.abdullah@pennsauken.net
Phifer Middle School
TJ McStravick, School Counselor
856-662-8511 Ext. 4558
terrence.mcstravick@pennsauken.net
Jessica Kirner, School Counselor
856-662-8511 Ext. 4256
jessica.kirner@pennsauken.net
Stephanie Dangerfield, School Counselor
856-662-8511 Ext. 4559
stephanie.dangerfield@pennsauken.net
Pennsauken Intermediate School
Florentina Crawford, School Counselor
856-662-8501 Ext. 1139
fcrawford@pennsauken.net
Marge Gaffney, School Counselor
856-662-8501 Ext. 1138
mgaffney@pennsauken.net
Fine School
Melisa Solivan, School Counselor
856-662-8568 Ext. 3128
melisa.solivan@pennsauken.net
Carson School
Tashanique Jefferson, School Counselor
856-662-5751 Ext. 4110
tashanique.jefferson@pennsauken.net
Franklin School
Marla Banks, School Counselor
856-662-6455 Ext. 7106
mbanks@pennsauken.net
Delair School
Dave Duncan, School Counselor
856-662-6164 Ext. 2134
dduncan@pennsauken.net
Roosevelt School and Baldwin School
Michelle Bradley, School Counselor
michelle.bradley@pennsauken.net