National Bullying Prevention Month Comes To Berkeley, CR Schools

BERKELEY, NJ — Schools in New Jersey have some of the toughest anti-bullying regulations in the country, under the Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights. Schools are required to report all instances of harassment, intimidation and bullying (known as HIB incidents), and provide detailed information about their bullying statistics.

The Berkeley and Central Regional school districts have been participating in The Week of Respect from Oct. 7-11, "an annual week of awareness, education and action around harassment, intimidation and bullying in New Jersey public schools." During this week, schools across the state will provide anti-bullying education to students, as required by the state Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights.

The Numbers

For the 2015-2016 school year, which was the most recently available data, the Central Regional School District reported 16 cases of harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB).

One instance was based on race, one based on origin and another based on disability. The other 13 incidents were based on other distinguishing characteristics.

In six cases, the victim received counseling. In two, they received a seating change. One incident prompted a parent conference, while one received support services.

In 12 cases, the offender received individual counseling. Six were suspended in school, four out of school. Two were given detention.

HIB grades are self-reported. Overall, the district gave itself a 70 out of 78 points (total and in both schools).

The Berkeley Township School District reported two HIB cases in the 2015-16 school year. Berkeley schools scored well on their 2017-18 HIB report. The district and each school earned a 73 out of 78.

Bullying Around the Nation

The problem isn't isolated to just New Jersey. National statistics vary, but an aggregate of 80 different studies on bullying suggests one in five American students between 12 and 18 is bullied at some point during their middle or high school years. Traditional bullying — name calling, public humiliation, isolation, physical violence and that sort of thing — occurs most often, with 35 percent of kids reporting they've been targeted in one of those ways. The studies cited by the PACER Center, which established National Bullying Prevention Month, show that 15 percent of kids surveyed report being cyberbullied.

Among the marquee National Bullying Prevention Month activities is Unity Day, observed on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when everyone is encouraged to wear and show orange to send a message that no child should ever experience bullying.

"Orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity," Paula Goldberg, the executive director of the PACER Center, said in a statement. "Whether it's hundreds of individuals at a school wearing orange, store owners offering orange products or a community changing a landmark to orange, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior."

Here's more about Unity Day:

Laws In New Jersey

Although New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights is one of the strictest anti-bullying laws in the nation, we could soon see the laws become even more stringent.

"Mallory's Law,"which aims to strengthen the current laws by forcing parental involvement, was recently approved unanimously by the State Senate.

Under the new bill, parents could face civil liabilities if they show "blatant disregard of supervising their child, [or] if their child has been judged to be delinquent of harassment or cyber harassment," a press release says, and parents would be subject to anti-bullying education classes.

The reporting and notification process for bullying incidents would be expanded: any accounts of bullying would be sent to the executive county superintendent and the parents of any students involved.

Any student found guilty of bullying would have the incident placed on their permanent record. After three proven bullying incidents, a student and their parents would be required to attend an anti-bullying training session, and law enforcement would be notified to see if any crimes were committed.

Week Of Respect In Berkeley, Central Regional

Both districts have held numerous events during this week of Bullying Prevention Month.

Here's what's going on at Central Regional:

• The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office hosted anti-bullying assemblies for Grades 9 and 10. The program shared the story of guest speakers, one a bully and one a victim. The OCPO also hosted a middle-school presentation on responsible use of social media.
• Tom DeBlass, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner from Berkeley, is giving a sportsmanship presentation to Central Regional's fall sports teams.
• Art classes are creating "Kindness in Chalk," which display positive messages outside.
• The band and cheerleaders gave a role-model presentation to SSH Elementary.
• The Middle School students are wearing colors to remind others about responsibility, respect, anti-bullying, kindness and partnership.
• CRMS had a bully-free t-shirt contest.
• Staff have produced videos that include participants throughout the learning community.
• CRMS is holding "caught being kind" announcements and recognition. students are also getting candy-grams.
• CRMS is running a Powerpoint slide show contest with respect messages.

Here's what's happening in the Berkeley Township School District:

• Students and staff are promoting themes throughout each day, such as "Peace Begins with a Smile," "Put Bullying to Bed Day," "Crazy Hair Day," and "Being a Friend is No Sweat."
• Students are using sidewalk chalk to write kind messages on the blacktop.
• Children write positive post-it notes that are displayed around the school.
• Students are rewarded with teamwork tickets when they show positive behavior that mirrors Project TEAM.
• Students who exemplify what it takes to be a good leader are chosen by their homeroom teachers as "Students of the Month."

THE MENACE OF BULLIES: PATCH ADVOCACY REPORTING PROJECT

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying.

Do you have a story to tell? Email us at bullies@patch.com, or share your views in the comment.

With reporting by Deb Belt and Katie Kausch, Patch Staff

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