Dr. Carrie Wel, the director of data planning, research, and evaluation, introduced the district’s anti-bullying initiatives. Dr. Wel highlighted the expansion of training for teachers and staff in social-emotional learning and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) training. She also emphasized the need for continuous support and intervention, noting that bullying remains an ongoing concern within the school district.

The presentation delved into the legal definition of bullying in New Jersey, which requires motivation by a student’s actual or perceived characteristics, occurrence either on school grounds or elsewhere, disruption of a student’s education, and recognition as harmful behavior by a reasonable person. Appearance, race, and gender identity were identified as the leading motivating factors for bullying incidents reported in the previous year. Dr. Wel clarified that not all negative interactions qualify as bullying under New Jersey law, with the term “founded” indicating that a situation met the legal criteria for bullying.

An important element of the discussion was the role of anti-bullying specialists in each school, responsible for investigating bullying incidents and supporting affected students. Dr. Wel explained that while legal definitions are crucial, the emotional and educational impacts on students are paramount. The schools strive to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students, regardless of whether an incident meets the formal criteria for bullying.

The district’s approach to managing bullying and conflicts among students involves teaching social-emotional skills to both victims and offenders. Lessons are designed to address skills gaps in managing friendships and conflicts, with an emphasis on navigating conflict healthily. These efforts include teaching students the importance of taking a break from a situation before addressing it and understanding that conflicts are a normal part of life.

The process for handling incidents of bullying was detailed, noting that when a teacher is notified, the principal must be informed within one day. The principal then determines whether the case will be treated as a code of conduct violation or a bullying investigation. An anti-bullying specialist completes the investigation within a ten-day timeline. Families are informed of the findings and next steps, with a review by the Board of Education occurring over a two-month period, resulting in an official letter regarding whether the case was founded or unfounded.

The significance of family involvement was stressed, with developed resources to assist families in understanding and managing bullying situations. In October, students across the district will receive five anti-bullying lessons, designed to foster empathy and respect among students. These lessons aim to build understanding of what it means to be an “upstander” versus a bystander in bullying situations. The lessons also cover the definitions of bullying, recognizing roles in these situations, and responsible reporting.

Programs and curricula, including the New Jersey Bar Foundation’s anti-bullying lessons that align with state law, were discussed. These lessons are incorporated into health and physical education curricula, teaching students about bullying, including its definitions and how to seek help, while also fostering social-emotional learning.

A new anti-bullying toolkit for educators and families was introduced, accessible on the district website. This toolkit includes parent letters, guidance on navigating conflicts, and resources for understanding and reporting bullying incidents. Families were encouraged to engage in discussions at home about bullying and to model good communication and empathy.

The meeting also addressed procedures for handling false accusations of bullying. The outlined steps include appealing to the principal or anti-bullying specialist, with the possibility of escalating the matter to the Board of Education. The appeal process is lengthy, requiring families to wait for a letter after 60 days, followed by an appeal meeting to review the case.