HIB - Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

The Greenwich Township Board of Education has adopted Policy 5512 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying, authorizing the prompt investigation of reports and violations and complaints of HIB in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A: 37-15(b)6. This policy applies to all stakeholders, all school sponsored events, and situations outside of school which have the potential to disrupt the school environment, create a hostile educational environment, or interfere with the education and school rights of others.

HIB Definition: HIB means 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; 

  • Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus; or off school grounds, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15.3, 

  • 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.

    HIB Off School Grounds: School districts continue to have the right, but are not required, to impose consequences on a student for conduct away from school grounds consistent with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.7, Conduct away from school grounds. The only change in this authority resulting from the ABR is that schools are now required to address HIB occurring off school grounds, when there is a nexus between the HIB and the school (i.e., the HIB substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students).

The following district personnel are available to assist with any questions or concerns regarding HIB:

  • Zana Harbon, Stewartsville Middle School Anti-Bullying Specialist, 908-859-2023 x2500

  • Joel Barrett, Stewartsville Middle School Principal, 908-859-2023 x2504

  •  Tina Neely, Superintendent and District Anti-Bullying Coordinator, 908-859-2022 x1606

  • NJDOE’s State School Climate Coordinator (hib@doe.nj.gov) 

HIB Reporting: Parents, students and visitors are encouraged to report alleged acts of HIB on the same day the act is witnessed or the day reliable information regarding the incident is received. To report an incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying please complete the HIB Report Form and submit it to the student’s principal immediately. Parents, students, and visitors have the option to report anonymously.

HIB Investigation: All acts of HIB shall be reported verbally to the school principal on the same day the school employee or contracted service provider witnessed or received reliable information regarding any such incident and a written report shall be submitted to the principal within two (2) days of the verbal report. Upon receipt of a verbal report of an alleged act of HIB, the principal shall notify the parents of all students involved and shall initiate an investigation on the same school day. The investigation shall be conducted by the school’s Anti-Bullying Specialist and shall be completed within ten (10) school days from the date of receipt of the written report. The results of the investigation shall be reported to the Superintendent within two (2) school days of the completion of the investigation.

The Superintendent shall report the results of the investigation to the Board of Education no later than the next regularly scheduled BOE Meeting following completion of the investigation. Reports to the Board of Education are provided in a confidential manner and do not include students’ names. Five (5) school days after the results have been reported to the BOE, the Superintendent shall provide written notification regarding the outcome of the investigation to the parents of all involved parties. Parents may request a hearing before the Board of Education after receiving the information. The hearing shall be held within ten (10) days of the request. The Board of Education may affirm, reject or modify the Superintendent’s decision. The Board of Education’s decision may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education no later than ninety (90) days after the issuance of the board’s decision.

HIB or Conflict:

Conflict most often involves mutual engagement in a disagreement between individuals.

  • Conflict, which occurs in everyday life, can range from simple disagreement over an idea to a verbal argument or a physical fight.

  • During a conflict, name calling, threats and other behavior that may look like HIB can occur.

  • Determining whether an incident is a conflict or HIB requires examination of the individual facts of each incident. If a conflict results in damaging, violent or disruptive or other behavior, it may be prohibited under a school’s code of student conduct and some form of discipline may occur, but the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act does not apply.

HIB usually involves one or several individuals intentionally committing a mean or violent act against another person or persons who have a hard time defending themselves.

  • When HIB occurs, there is NOT mutual engagement between individuals, but a one-sided victimization of another person or group.

  • The intention is to cause physical or emotional harm to the person

Frequently Asked Questions

HIB Grade Report

Source: NJDOE