HIB Information

  • **As per the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR) (P.L.2010, c.122), the North Haledon Public Schools has posted its Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act grades here on the school district's HIB webpage, to the district's homepage, to each individual school's webpage and to the district's public menu.  Please feel free to contact the building principals if you have any questions.**

    HARASSMENT INTIMIDATION & BULLYING (HIB)

    What is the definition of HIB under the NJ Anti-bullying Bill of Rights?

    HIB means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated 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; and takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, 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, 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.

    Conflict vs. Bullying

    Bullying is not a conflict between students or among groups of students. Conflict is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement or an argument which is a normal part of human development. Bullying is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one or more person's aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

    "Harmful or demeaning conduct motivated only by another reason, for example, a dispute about a relationship or personal belongings, or aggressive conduct without identifiable motivation does not come within the statutory definition of bullying."  K.L. v. Evesham School District (App. Div. 2011)

    There generally are four types of bullying behaviors. These behaviors and some examples are identified below:

    • Verbal  – Includes taunting, name calling, malicious teasing or making threats (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001);
    • Psychological  – Includes spreading rumors, purposefully excluding people from activities, breaking up friendships (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001);
    • Physical  – Includes hitting, punching, shoving, spitting or taking personal belongings (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001); and
    • Cyberbullying  – Includes using the Internet, mobile phone or other digital technologies to harm others. (DuPage County Anti-Bullying Model Policy and Best Practices, 2011).

    HOW TO REPORT AN INCIDENT OF HIB:

    ALL INCIDENCES OF HIB MUST BE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL.

    Contact the North Haledon HIB Team

    High Mountain Middle School - 973-427-1220
    Memorial Elementary School - 973-427-8993

Additional Information on HIB