Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying

A. 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, 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, 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 **AND 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; or (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. – The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (ABR), authorized in January 2011 and amended in July 2022.

A. The school implements educational programs and initiatives to raise awareness about HIB prevention. These programs include curriculum instruction, classroom activities, assemblies, and awareness campaigns.

A. You can report a HIB incident to any school staff member or administrator. Reports can also be made anonymously through established reporting procedures. The Hanover Township Public Schools has designated personnel to receive and investigate reports. Reporting forms can be found on the website:

HIB Incident Form for Families

HIB Incident Form for Local Education Agency

A. Through the investigative process, the school will collect information from relevant witnesses to determine the impact of the act on the alleged target, or on the orderly operation of the school.

A. Although a finding of HIB can be found for conduct off school property, imposition of discipline is subject to the following restrictions:

1) Only when discipline is reasonably necessary for the student’s physical or emotional safety, security, and well-being or for reasons relating to the safety, security or well-being of other students, staff or school property pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2 and N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2; 2) Only when the conduct which is the subject of the proposed consequence materially and substantially interferes with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school. N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5, and the discipline must be consistent with Board Policy 5600:

Student Discipline/Code of Conduct

A. Board Policy 5512 Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying permits the Principal to make a preliminary determination as to whether or not a reported incident is within the scope of the definition of HIB. The threshold question is: Assuming the facts as alleged are true, does the incident meet the definition of HIB? If they would not, then the Principal does not need to commence an investigation. (Example: The facts reported do not indicate that the act was motivated by a protected class or distinguishing characteristic.) In these cases, the incident may be considered a peer conflict and/or a Code of Conduct violation.

A. The Principal must initiate an investigation within one school day of the verbal or initial report, and the investigation must be completed within ten school days from the date of the written report (which must be submitted via the HIB 338 Form for Parents/Caregivers or the HIB 338 Form for School Personnel.

HIB Incident Form for Families

HIB Incident Form for Local Education Agency

A. No. School personnel will determine with whom and when it will discuss school matters with students. In order to protect the identity and personal information of the students involved and to guard the integrity of the investigation, parents are not permitted to sit-in with their student when the incident is discussed.

A. No. While the statute requires parental notification of the bullying allegation, N.J.S.A.18A:37-15b.(5), and the findings of the Board, N.J.S.A.18A:37-15b.(6)(d), there is no requirement that the parent be present during the alleged bully’s interview and parents do not have a right under the statute to participate in HIB investigations involving their children. In addition, information identifying other students cannot be discussed if a parent were present, and this could compromise the investigation.

A. The principal will notify the parent/guardian by phone on the first day of the investigation, informing them whether their child is the alleged target or alleged offender, and may only provide general information regarding the nature of the allegation. The principal is not permitted to disclose the names of the other students involved.

A. Within five school days after the results of the investigation are reported to the Board, the parents of the students who are parties to the investigation must be provided with written information about the investigation, including:

1. the nature of the investigation
2. whether the district found evidence of HIB and
3. whether any discipline will be imposed or services provided to address the act of HIB.

The BOE must review the findings at the next scheduled Board meeting after the investigation has been completed. Only the Superintendent of Schools may notify parents/guardians of the determination. The notification will come in the form of a hard copy letter in the mail.

After the investigation and upon request, a parent/guardian is entitled to a redacted copy of the report that removes all student identification information. This information will be confidentially shared by the Board. The request must be made directly to the Office of the Superintendent.

Parents are also entitled to a Board hearing within sixty days of receiving the written determination. Parents are encouraged to review the first few questions in this document before requesting a hearing to ensure an understanding of the law which guides the determination of HIB.

A. Consequences for students found to have engaged in HIB vary based on the severity and circumstances of the incident. They may include counseling, support services, educational programs, discipline, and referrals to law enforcement when necessary.

A. Yes. As per the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights amendments in July 2022, in all instances of an affirmative HIB finding, a copy of the investigation results must be placed in the student’s record.

A. Generally speaking, no. Student records cannot be shared with anyone other than authorized organizations, agencies, and individuals, which are defined by law, without parental consent.

A. A parent or guardian who demonstrates willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of supervision and control over the conduct of a minor over whom they have legal custody and who is adjudicated delinquent of cyber harassment (a fourth-degree crime) can be held liable in a civil action. A parent or guardian can also be fined up to $100 for the first offense, and $500 for each subsequent offense, for failure to comply with a condition of the sentence of a minor who committed cyber harassment (e.g., jointly attending a class or training program on cyber harassment).