Policy 5512
HARASSMENT , INTIMIDATION , AND BULLYING A . Policy Statement B . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Definition C . Student Expectations D . Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Actions E . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Reporting Procedure F . Anti-Bullying Coordinator , Anti-Bullying Specialist , and School Safety Team ( s ) G . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Investigation H . Range of Responses to an Incident of Harassment , Intimidation , or Bullying I . Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited J . Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Action for False Accusation K . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Policy Publication and Dissemination L . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Training and Prevention Programs M . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Policy Reevaluation , Reassessment and Review N . Reports to Board of Education and New Jersey Department of Education O . School and District Grading Requirements P . Reports to Law Enforcement Q . Collective Bargaining Agreements and Individual Contracts R . Students with Disabilities
A . Policy Statement The 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 . 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 . For the purposes of this Policy , the term " parent ," pursuant to N . J . A . C . 6A : 16-1.3 , means the natural parent ( s ) or adoptive parent ( s ), legal guardian ( s ), foster parent ( s ), or parent surrogate ( s ) of a student . Where parents are separated or divorced , " parent " means the person or agency which has legal custody of the student , as well as the natural or adoptive parent ( s ) of the student , provided such parental rights have not been terminated by a court of appropriate jurisdiction .
B . Harassment , Intimidation , and Bullying Definition “ 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 :
1 . 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 ;
2 . 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 ; 3 . Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students ; and that a .
b .
c .
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 . Schools are required to address harassment , intimidation , and bullying occurring off school grounds , when there is a nexus between the harassment , intimidation , and bullying and the school ( e . g ., the harassment , intimidation , or bullying substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students ). “ Electronic communication ” means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device , including , but not limited to : a telephone , cellular phone , computer , or pager .
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