Garwood Board of Education Reports Six Bullying Incidents

Six incidents of bullying have been reported since the beginning of the school year, said Superintendent of Schools Theresa Quigley at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night. 

Of the six incidents, three were considered substantial harrassment, two were deemed normal conflict and one is still being investigated. 

Two resulted in action being taken by administrators.

Substantial harrassments means confirmed bullying took place. Normal conflict is a situation that is not considered bullying and can be resolved between the two parties.

Bullying can be any gesture in person or electronically which disrupts the rights of students, Quigley said.

As part of the new anti-bullying law in New Jersey, Quigley is required to report any incidents in the district. 

The "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights" is intended to eliminate loopholes in the state’s first anti-bullying law, which goes beyond a 2002 anti-bullying measure that encouraged school districts to set up programs to combat bullying but did not mandate it.

The law requires a formal process for reporting and investigating suspected bullying. Every district needs an "anti-bullying coordinator," and each school an "anti-bullying specialist" and a "school safety team."

Mary Emmons, principal for grades four through eight who also serves as the bullying coordinator, said she needs to write a formal report when any complaint is brought to her.

The incident goes through a 10-step analysis to determine whether it could be considered bullying, she said. Each situation is evaulated depending on degree of bullying, she said. 

Emmons works with bullying specialist Teresa Parkhill to help solve the problem before it escalates.

"The idea is not to punish first, but to try to remediate the situation," Emmons said. 

To prevent bullying incidents, the district has adopted a bullying curriculum that teaches a lesson a week to build character and responsibility.

"We want to eliminate the problem and help the students become aware," Emmons said.