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HIB

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)


The Ridgewood Public Schools are committed to creating a positive and safe school environment through a robust social-emotional learning curriculum, a comprehensive School-Based Mental Health model, and emphasis on the development of essential characteristics including respect, kindness, and empathy. Various intervention programs and activities teach students the importance of being an upstander, not a bystander. The districtwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative further supports the fundamental expectation that all students participate in a learning environment where they find meaning, respect, and acceptance. 

 Ridgewood Board of Education HIB Policy and Regulation 5512


Report allegations of HIB

HIB 338 Form - Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) Reporting Form

This form should be used by parents or guardians to report allegations of HIB. Please fill it out and send it to School Anti-Bullying Specialist (from the list on the right).




HIB District and School Grade Report Cards


The HIB District and School grades are determined through a New Jersey Department of Education self-assessment based upon the measures outlined in the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. This self-assessment is completed annually by each School Safety Team. 

2021-2022 HIB District and School Grade Report Card



Resources

Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act

Garden State Equality

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention



Legal Definition of Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying


Definition from NJSA: 18A:37-14: "Harassment, intimidation or bullying" 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 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, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, c.122 (C.18A:37-15.3), 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, 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;

b. has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or

c. 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.

L.2002, c.83, s.2; amended 2007, c.129, s.1; 2010, c.122, s.11.


IN ORDER TO HAVE HIB WE MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
1. MOTIVATION: Reasonably perceived as being motivated …by any…distinguishing characteristic AND

2. NEXUS: Substantially disrupted or interfered with orderly operation of school or rights of other students AND

3. HARM: One or more of the following:
a. EXPECTATION OF HARM: Offender knew action would physically or emotionally harm victim or damage victim’s property OR

b. EXPECTATION OF HARM: Victim feared physical or emotional harm or damage to personal property OR

c. ACTUAL HARM: Insulted or demeaned student or group OR

d. ACTUAL HARM: Created hostile educational environment by doing one or both of the following:
                             i.      Interfering with student’s education OR
                            ii.      Severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm

 

District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Richard Freedman 
Interim Assistant Superintendent
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x10532


School Anti-Bullying Specialists
2023-2024

Glen School, RED, REACH, RISe
Jane Gerald
[email protected]
201.670.2700. x60501

Hawes Elementary School
Susan Fink
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x 10821

Orchard Elementary School
Stephanie McAloon
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x10814

Ridge Elementary School
Stephanie McAloon
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x10814

Somerville Elementary School
Jane Gerald
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x10817

Travell Elementary School
Susan Fink
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x 10821

Willard Elementary School
Jane Gerald
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x10817

Benjamin Franklin Middle School
Marisa Mahoney
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x30555

Meagan Papapietro
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x30559

Lara Sheer
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x30566

George Washington Middle School
Lisa Scrudato (Monroe House)
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x40556

Michael Mullin (Godwin House)
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x40557

Dana Kneis
[email protected]
201-670-2700 x40558

Ridgewood High School
Steven Bourque
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x 20568

Candace Cordasco
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x20569

Chris Fabish
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x20560

Alexandra Roberts
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x20556

Meredith Yannone 
[email protected]
201.670.2700 x 20567


School Climate State Coordinator Contact Information
[email protected]