HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying)
HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying)
Students need to feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment in order to optimize their achievement. Each NJ school has both a district-wide and a school-wide staff member appointed as their "Anti-Bullying Specialist" (ABS).
ABS's gather information as part of investigations when possible HIB is alleged. They also work with other staff to assess and improve their specific school climate. The SAC serves as the school ABS at Hamilton West.
School staff are required by law to report possible HIB, and the ABS is required to gather information from the alleged target(s), students alleged to have engaged in HIB behavior, and any witnesses to the alleged behaviors.
When all information is gathered, a decision is made as to whether the alleged actions meet the definition of HIB as per state law (defined in part below). Regardless of the decision, measures are put in place to support students and remediate the situation.
Summaries of HIB investigations are sent to the Board of Education. Identifying student information is kept confidential and involvement in a HIB investigation does not appear on student records or transcripts. The goal is to keep students safe and to assess/improve the school climate.
Anyone may file a written report if HIB is suspected. See the district's HIB page for more info. and the HIB Report Form: HTSD HIB Information
See here for specifics about the law:
NJ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights and 2012 Amendments to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
Parent's Guide to HIB Law
The above guide (p. 9) presents the state's legal definition of HIB (emphasis added):
The ABR defines harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) as 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 an 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; and that
• Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or • off school grounds, that 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, 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; 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. (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14)
See p. 11 of the Guide for important info. regarding conflict vs. HIB. and feel free to ask questions as they come up.