Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
On January 5, 2011, Governor Christie signed into law the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act”. This law is effective September 1, 2011. It seeks to establish clearer standards on what constitutes Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB). It also seeks to establish clearer standards on how to prevent, report, investigate, and respond to incidents of HIB. A new definition for HIB is defined as: (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14) 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 any actual or perceived characteristic, such as: race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, color, ancestry, gender, gender identity & expression, mental physical or sensory disability, and any other distinguishing characteristic:
that 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), that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students that:
a. 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.
b. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students.
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
Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Jessica Fisher, Assistant Director: 652-7118 ext: 1008
jfisher@gccscharterschool.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Stephanie Lancaster, Special Education Teacher: 652-7118 ext: 1041
slancaster@gccscharterschool.org
As part of our Caring Schools Community, the Galloway Community Charter School believes our school should be a safe environment for children to learn and grow. In order to facilitate our beliefs, we have implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Olweus Program enhances our Caring Schools Community initiative. Through class meetings, discussions, and role-play, students learn to be proactive against bullying behaviors. Students and staff members will be able to distinguish among bullying, rough and tumble play, and real fighting. Every staff member has received training in the Olweus program which helps in our efforts to eliminate bullying behaviors in all facets of the school day. We have developed a School Safety Team whose responsibility is to develop, foster, and maintain positive school climate by focusing on ongoing, systematic process and practices in school.
Students will be expected to adhere to our school’s four Anti-Bullying Rules:
Rule #1- We will not bully others.
Rule #2- We will try to help students who are bullied.
Rule #3-We will try to include students who are left out.
Rule #4-If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
These rules will be taught during the first few months of school and will be reinforced throughout the school year. You will receive further information throughout the year from the classroom teachers and through our website. The Olweus Program stresses that strong staff, community, and parental involvement is important for the program to be successful and effective.
We thank you in advance for your support and effort in making our school Bully Free!
If you suspect a child is being bullied, please call your child’s teacher. Then, click on the link and download the Parent/Volunteer Reporting Form. Please return the form within 2 days of calling the teacher.
HIB Parent Reporting Form
HIB Timeline
For further information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, please visit their website.
www.clemson.edu/olweus
