Policy 5512
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING A. Policy Statement B. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Definition C. Student Expectations D. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Actions E. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting Procedure F. Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Anti-Bullying Specialist, and School Safety Team( s) G. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Investigation H. Range of Responses to an Incident of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying I. Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited J. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Action for False Accusation K. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy Publication and Dissemination L. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Training and Prevention Programs M. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy Reevaluation, Reassessment and Review N. Reports to Board of Education and New Jersey Department of Education O. School and District Grading Requirements P. Reports to Law Enforcement Q. Collective Bargaining Agreements and Individual Contracts R. Students with Disabilities
A. Policy Statement The 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. 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. For the purposes of this Policy, the term " parent," pursuant to N. J. A. C. 6A: 16-1.3, means the natural parent( s) or adoptive parent( s), legal guardian( s), foster parent( s), or parent surrogate( s) of a student. Where parents are separated or divorced, " parent " means the person or agency which has legal custody of the student, as well as the natural or adoptive parent( s) of the student, provided such parental rights have not been terminated by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
B. 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:
1. 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;
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 orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students; and that a.
b.
c.
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 his / her person or damage to his / her 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. Schools are required to address harassment, intimidation, and bullying occurring off school grounds, when there is a nexus between the harassment, intimidation, and bullying and the school( e. g., the harassment, intimidation, or bullying substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students).“ Electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to: a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager.
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