Flemington-Raritan Regional School District

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

a.                   Reasonably perceived as being motivated by either 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

b.                  By any other distinguishing characteristic; and that

c.                   Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15.3, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other pupils; and that

d.                  A reasonable person should know under the circumstances will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or

e.                   Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils; or

f.                   Creates a hostile educational environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the pupil.

1.      In a situation where a staff member or parent witnesses an act of HIB, they should take the appropriate actions to stop the behavior.

2.      The person who witnessed or learned of the HIB will make a verbal report to the building Principal as soon as possible after they learned of the HIB.

3.      Complete the Referral Form for HIB and return to the Principal ASAP, but no later than two days after the verbal report. When completing a referral form, simply report the facts and give an accurate description of events.

Characteristics of Bullies

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes.  They can be large or small, athletic or not, popular or not, boys or girls.  It is important to remember that you can’t tell if someone is a bully by what he or she looks like.  The only way to identify a bully is by how they act.  A bully can be anyone, and there is no one profile, but here are some typical behaviors.

Typically, bullies:

·         Create or manipulate a situation where there is an imbalance of power

·         Have a need to control and dominate others

·         Are quick tempered and impulsive

·         Take pleasure in seeing someone or an animal in distress

·         Find it difficult to see a situation from another person’s point of view

·         Refuse to take responsibility or deny wrong doing

·         Blame the target or say they deserved what they got

·         Good at talking their way out of situations

·         Intolerant of differences

·         Feel superior

·         Insensitive to the feelings or needs of others (lack of empathy)

What Bullying is Not

The following behaviors (some of which can be inappropriate and should be addressed) in and of itself are not considered bullying:

·         Arguments/Conflict

·         Not liking someone

·         Refusing to be friends with someone

·         Teasing

·         Making others play things a certain way (being bossy)

·         Expressing unpleasant thoughts or feelings regarding others

·         Rivalry