The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (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

• 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.

To continue reading about HIB please see the State of New Jersey's Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

Students should conduct themselves as appropriate to their levels of development, maturity and demonstrated capabilities with proper regard for the welfare of others, including staff and other pupils. Staff members are expected to model appropriate behavior and encourage best practices of proactive discipline, positive behavior support and growth in self-discipline.

Report an incident to one of the Anti-Bullying Specialists below. Concerns can also be reported to a building administrator, your child's school counselor, case manager, or a teacher.

An overview of the procedure is as follows:

1. Complaints alleging violation of the HIB Policy must be reported to the appropriate Principal or designee.

2. An incident reporting form to document the allegation must be completed for the investigation to begin.

3. A verbal report or anonymous report is considered official, but disciplinary action may not be taken based solely on an anonymous report.

4. Timely reporting, in compliance with the procedures in the Policy, makes the person who reports it immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of failure to report the incident.

5. Once reported, the incident must be investigated. The Principal will ensure that the investigation is carried out.

6. The investigation will be prompt, thorough and complete, and be recorded.

7. An appropriate response must be developed and provided.

Refer to HIB Policy 5512 for more complete procedure information.

Below you will find links to various policies of the Montville Township Board of Education which address issues associated with Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying:

• Bylaw 0144 - Board Member Orientation

• Policy 5350 - Pupil Suicide Prevention

• Policy 5512 - Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

• Policy 5600 - Pupil Discipline

• Policy 8461 - Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse