•                          PREVENTATIVE RESOURCES                              

     

     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     
    New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)
     
     
     
     
     

    Bergen County Prosecutor's Office

     
     
     
     
     

     

    Internet, Social Media, and Cell Phone Safety

     
     
     
     
    Sexting (KidsHealth.org) 
     
     
     

    Social Conflict versus HIB 

     
    It is important to differentiate when an incident is one of social conflict (in other words, "kids being kids") as opposed to one of HIB. This site provides a detailed overview. However, in essence, there are two key differences, the first involving the balance of power in the incident and the second involving motivating factors.
     
     
    SOCIAL CONFLICT:
     
    Balance of Power - There is a (roughy) even balance of power; it is mutually competitive 
    Motivating Factors - Typically involves verbal disagreements; it can escalate to name-calling
     
     
    HIB
     
    Balance of Power - It is heavily one-sided with the aggressor driving the incident/creating a victim
    Motivating Factors - The incident is based on one or more actual or perceived characteristics 
     
     
    Actual or perceived characteristics include "race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory [handicap] disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic" (NJDOE, 2010).
     
    In addition, the HIB law is applied when such incidents have both the balance of power and motivating factors above and
     
    "takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function [or], on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, CHAPTER 122, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that:

    1. a)   a reasonable person should know, ,underthe 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]

    2. b)  has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students [in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school]; or

    3. c)  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." (NJDOE, 2010) 

     
     
     
     

    Nutrition and Stress Reduction

     
     
     
     
     
     

    Teen Dating Violence

     
    Teen Dating Violence Fact Sheet (printable PDF) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 
     
     
    State-by-State Laws on Teen Dating Violence (National Conference of State Legislatures)
     
     
     
     

                                     SCHOOL SAFETY TEAM                              

     

    Purpose, Membership, and Meetings 

     
    The New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights requires each school to assemble a School Safety Team (SST). The SST hears reported HIB incidents (names are anonymous) and actively works to promote and sustain a positive school climate. The SST is a diverse group of administrators, elementary and middle school teachers, and parents; the School Anti-Bullying Specialist chairs the Team. The Team meets quarterly in person, and throughout the school year helps orchestrate anti-bullying/character education programming and disseminates quality and pertinent resources.