Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying

The Berkeley Heights 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. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that may involve a real or perceived power imbalance. 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.

  • HIB Policy 5512.01

“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: 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; 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; and 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, 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.

Parent Resources

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE:

PARENT POWERPOINT:

Below is a PowerPoint presentation specific to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, district practice, and general information.  

REPORTING HIB:

If you are aware of or have information regarding any incident that you feel may be a violation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, you may report this to the appropriate district personnel via this link.  Should you prefer to remain anonymous, simply leave the contact information blank.  Should you be concerned that the information you are reporting is an emergency, please contact your local Police Department. 

USEFUL LINKS:

Report an Incident

STAFF INCIDENT REPORT FORM

FAMILY/CAREGIVERS INCIDENT REPORT FORM

Once completed, your building principal will get a notification that a new case is pending. 

It is encouraged that staff and families alike follow up in an email to their principal that a new case has been inputted for approval. 

HIB Grades