District Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

District Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy and Information

The Burlington Township School District strongly believes that student safety is a fundamental right. Students must be given the opportunity to learn in an environment of trust and support. To that end, we fully embrace the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights and related board policies.

The District takes harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) among students seriously. The words harassment, intimidation and bullying  under NJ law have specific meaning and require specific actions from staff, specialists and administrators. Please use care when describing events and reporting issues. In order to have a founded HIB these things are required:

1. The gesture, act or communication MUST substantially disrupt or interfere with orderly operation of the school OR rights of other students.

2. Based on a characteristic of the target(s), these may include characteristics that seem subtly or are perceived as characteristics by either the offender or target. 

3. There must be a reported impact to the target.

4. At least one of the following:

   1. Has effect of--or creates reasonable fear of--  physical/emotional harm to student or damage to student’s property, or

   2. Has effect of insulting/ demeaning any student or group of students, or

   3. Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with the student's education or by severely or pervasively causing him/her physical or emotional harm.

Families should note that just because students engage in unkind behavior or mutual conflict, these matters are not necessarily considered HIB. Although a conflict or unkind behavior may not be considered HIB under the law, Burlington Township Schools takes all these matters seriously and works to educate students on positive behaviors.

Please review the information  available and do not hesitate to call your Building Principal or District Anti-Bullying Coordinator with any questions or concerns.

Additionally, please feel free to look through the navigation bar on the left to review helpful information.