BOE Takes Steps to Stop Bullying

The Matawan Abereen Regional School District is on track to put a stop to bullying, according to Board of Education Interim Deputy Superintendent Patrick Peigari.

Peigari attended an anti-bullying conference which discussed how a formalized model program with core materials, training of administration, teachers and students and established teams within the schools to work with parents and students - like the one recently adopted by the district - can help eliminate bullying.

The conference was part of a statewide effort to help districts understand and implement new bullying polices as the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights will go into effect across New Jersey on Sept. 1. This legislation requires school districts to follow new, more strict procedures and protocols in place than those previously adopted in 2002 and 2007.

"We are on schedule. We are well ahead of other districts because of the program we have adopted," Piegari said at the board's Aug. 22 regular action meeting. "I am pleased we are doing this.

The program Piegari referred to is the Owleus Bullying Prevention Program, approved by the board at their July 25 regular action meeting.

According to the Owleus website, their anti-bullying program takes a multifaceted approach by involving students, teachers, administrators and parents. All students participate in most aspects of the program, while students identified as bullying others or as targets of bullying receive individualized interventions.

A strong program, according to Owleus, is one that becomes part of every day school rather than a single, in-class workship. It addresses bullying inside and outside the classroom and makes adults - both teachers and guardians - responsible for ensuring that bullying stops by giving individuals the skills to take action.

"The training and ongoing support is not something we can say we have enough of and stop," Piegari said. "The goal is to avoid situations, not react to them.

The board continues to move forward with their anti-bullying initiative. At the regular action meeting on Monday, Aug. 22, there was a first reading of three new policies, two of which directly address bullying, harassment, intimidation and violence.

Policy 5512 defines harassment, intimidation, or bullying as "any gesture, written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus." The policy details what constitutes harassment, intimidation and bullying and the consequences for engaging in such actions.

Policy 8461 outlines reporting violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation, bullying, alcohol and other drug abuse. It also dictates that each year, during the week beginning with the third Monday of October, each school will engage in "School Violence Awareness Week" where students will engage in age-appropriate opportunities for discussion on conflict resolution, diversity and tolerance.

A first reading of a policy is simply an introduction, according to Board President Charles Kenny. Residents will have the chance to express questions, comments and concerns regarding the policy at the on Sept. 26.

Other items discussed at the Aug. 22 regular action meeting:

President's Report

• Class schedules and bus passes have been provided to all students in the district
• Ongoing bond refinance initiatives regarding the 2003 bond that we have locked into agreeable terms, which will result in a debt savings of $1,074,000 through the year 2028. This has a present value of $833,000 in savings for the district. This year alone we will save about $36,0000.

Superintendent's Report

• On Monday, Aug. 22 the administration attended an in-district professional development workship regarding the utilization of data to inform and inspire instructional improvement
• On Thurs, Aug. 25 the high school will have Freshman Orientation. This will be a unique year for the Class of 2015 with the introduction of the Freshman Academy. The Freshmana is developed around the concept of small learning communities. It is a school within a school organized around interdisciplinary teams of English, math, science and social studies.
• On Thurs, Aug. 25 the middle school will host it's 2nd annual MAMS Barbeque, which is an opportunity for incoming 6th grade students to become acquainted with their new school, principal, staff.
• for implementing an elementary literacy program and increasing available technology in the district

Policy

The Board conducted the first policy readings for the following policies:

• Policy 5512: Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
• Policy 8461: Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
• Policy 8636: Pupil Transportation - Vehicle Idling

The policies have not yet been adopted. They can be viewed on the district website under the "Policies" tab on the left hand side. Residents are welcome to attend the next regular action meeting on Sept. 26 to voice their comments and questions.