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Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB)

 

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Information

 

What is HIB? 

"Harassment, intimidation or bullying" 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:

Must include all of the following: 

  • Is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by 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 

  • Takes place on school property, at any school sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, c.122 (C.18A:37-15.3)

  • Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that: 

Must include at least one of the following: 

  • 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;

  • 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.

 

How do I report an alleged incident of HIB? 

Please report any alleged incident of HIB to the building Principal and Anti-Bullying Specialist as soon as possible. Families/caregivers can report an alleged incident by completing the HIB 338 form, which is located under the “Families” HIB tab on the school’s website. 

 

HIB Personnel

Mrs. Kelly Schroback 

Principal 

kschroback@carlstadtps.org

(201) 672-3000 ext. 3105

 

Mrs. Latasha Miller

Anti- Bullying Specialist (HIB)

lmiller@carlstadtps.org

201-672-3000 ext. 3058

 

Mrs. Rianna Scrubb

District Anti-Bullying Coordinator

rscrubb@carlstadtps.org

(201) 672-3000 ext. 3138

 

HIB Investigation Process

  1. Beginning an Investigation

Reports of alleged incidents of HIB should be made to the Principal or principal’s designee on the same day when the individual witnessed or received reliable information regarding an incident. The individual who made the verbal report shall also submit a HIB 338 form to the Principal within 2 days of the verbal report. 

The Principal, in consultation with the anti-bullying specialist,may make a preliminary determination as to whether or not a reported incident, assuming all facts are presented as true, is within the scope of the N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14. If it is determined that the reported incident does not meet the definition of HIB, the incident will be dealt with as a Code of Conduct Violation. 

If the Principal determines that the reported incident is within the scope of the definition of HIB, a formal investigation will be conducted. The Principal must initiate the investigation within one school day of the verbal report and must be completed within ten days of the written report. 

The Principal will notify the parents/guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident, informing them whether their student is the alleged target or alleged offender and the general nature of the allegations. 

2.During the Investigation

The school’s Anti-Bullying Specialist(s) (ABS) will conduct a thorough investigation by interviewing the alleged target(s), alleged offender(s), and any student or staff witnesses identified. The investigation will be completed, and the written findings submitted to the Principal as soon as possible, but no later than ten days the written report was received. 

3. Completing the Investigation 

Once the ABS completes the investigation, the Principal will approve the HIB report and submit it to the Superintendent within two days. The Superintendent will then review and approve all investigations and report the findings of all HIB investigations to the Board of Education at the next scheduled board meeting. 

Further consequences and/or appropriate remedial actions may be implemented based on the findings. 

Parents/Guardians of involved students will receive a letter from the Superintendent outlining the Board of Education’s decision regarding the findings of the investigation within 5 days of the board meeting. 

A Parent/Guardian may request a hearing before the Board of Education concerning the written information about HIB. This request must be filed with the Board Secretary no later than sixty (60) calendar days after receiving the written information. The hearing shall be held within ten (10) business days of the request. Prior to the hearing, the Superintendent shall confidentially share a redacted copy of the HIB 338 form with the Board. The Board shall conduct the hearing in executive session, pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-1 et seq.), to protect the confidentiality of the students. At the regularly scheduled Board meeting following the receipt of the report or following a hearing in executive session, the Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the Superintendent’s decision. 

4. After the Investigation 

For the first and second confirmed acts of HIB, a copy of the HIB investigation findings shall be placed in the student’s record. The student may receive consequences and/or appropriate remedial actions, as determined by the Principal. 

For a third act of HIB and each subsequent act, a copy of the HIB investigation findings shall be placed in the student’s record, and the Principal, in consultation with appropriate staff, shall develop an individual student intervention plan. The student intervention plan may include disciplinary consequences and/or remedial actions, and may require the student, accompanied by a parent, to satisfactorily complete a class or training program to reduce HIB. 

Law enforcement does not play any role in HIB investigations unless criminal activity is suspected. 

HIB Self-Assessment Information 

Since the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Acts, Carlstadt Public School has made progress in addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying incidents and improving the school climate and culture by increasing Social Emotional Learning opportunities for all students, educational opportunities for parents/guardians and community members and staff professional development. 

HIB Self-Assessment 2021-2022

 

Additional Information

HIB 338 Form - Families/Caregivers

Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act

Carlstadt Board of Education Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy 5512

Keeping Our Students Safe, Healthy, and In School

The School Climate State Coordinator (HIB@doe.nj.gov) will serve as a resource to parents, students, and educators. 

You may also leave a message with the office staff.  201-672-3000