I. Definition of Harassment, Bullying, and Intimidation (HIB):

• “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” is defined as any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single actor 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, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other distinguishing characteristic, 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. A reasonable person should know that, under the circumstances, it 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 emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property.

B. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or

C. Creating a hostile educational environment at school for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

II. How to Report Incidents of HIB:

• Call the School’s Anti-Bullying Specialists regarding Incidents of HIB
  Mrs. Alexandra Christ (973) 399- 6897 x 1644
• Email Anti-Bullying Specialist: achrist@irvington.k12.nj.us
• Submit a letter to the Anti-Bullying Specialist describing the incident(s).

Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) reporting can be done anonymously.

III. The Investigation Process:

• The School Counselor will:
  1. Consult with an Administrator.
  2. Collect and review all statements related to the incident.
  3. Interview victim/offender/witness (separately)
  4. Call the parents of the victim and offender.
  5. Set up conferences/re-entries with the victim or offender, and always have parents and administrators present.
  6. Make a notation in PowerSchool under the victim and offender of all actions taken. (meeting/phone calls/emails)
  7. Document all anonymous reports and investigate.
  8. Submit all complaints against a staff member to the Principal and log into PowerSchool.
  9. Offer counsel to the victim and offender with the Health & Social Services (HSSC) Coordinator or the Child Study Team (CST)
  • The HSSC must see the victim within 48 business hours.

IV. Consequences:
An Administrator will assign the appropriate level:

• 1st Offense: HFP/Parent Conference; possible suspension; 2nd Offense: 1-2 days Out of School Suspension; 3rd Offense: 2-3 days Out of School Suspension; 4th Offense: 5 days Out of School Suspension and Central Office intervention.
  • The building principal and/or superintendent has the authority to modify these offenses as deemed necessary.
• Notify CST if applicable.
• Set up reentry meetings with parents, students, teachers, counselors, HSSC, and CST, if applicable
• If necessary, begin the process for Intervention & Referral Services. (IR&S)
• Follow up with counseling for the victim and the offender.

V. Bystanders:

• A student may be found to have committed an act of bullying without being the individual who performed the overt act. Examples of this enabling type of behavior may include encouraging a bully to physically attack a student, spreading rumors, or shunning a student who has been ostracized by a group. Bystanders will be subject to disciplinary action. Designees will consider the nature of the behavior before determining a remedial action and/or disciplinary consequence.

VI. Retaliation:

• A person who commits an act of retaliation or reprisal against the individual who reported the original act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or an individual who falsely accuses someone of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, is subject to the same disciplinary consequences as the original aggressor. The level of disciplinary consequence may match the level of the original consequences given to the aggressor or may increase to the next level of consequence as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. All disciplinary sanctions will be implemented with consideration of the individual’s due process rights.

Questions or concerns related to these procedures should be directed to:

• Mrs. Alexandra Christ, School Counselor at (973) 399-6897 Ext 1644
• Ms. Shelly Pettiford, Director of Guidance and Counselors at 973-399-6897 Ext 1823
• Mr. Miller, Principal at (973) 399-6897 Ext 1608