On September 1, 2011, district boards of education were required to transmit copies of the new Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) policy to appropriate executive county superintendents (ECS) state-wide. After Gov. Chris Christie signed into law P.L.2010, Chapter 122, known as the Anti-bullying Bill of Rights, on January 5, 2011, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) assisted districts by amending its model HIB policy to be applicable to grades kindergarten through twelve. As per requirement, school district officials were to:

1. Clearly inform their students of the policy and preferred behaviors

2. Ensure that staff members were "trained in skills and strategies for developing student self-discipline and to apply best practices for positive behavioral interventions".

While meant to serve as a means for school faculty to intervene in bullying issues, the law is also intended to serve as an effective prevention tool. As NJDOE states, "for students to demonstrate preferred behaviors, it is important that they have a clear understanding of the school district's expectation under the policy, the reasons for and benefits of the policy, the consequences for violations of the policy, as well as have opportunities to learn preferred behaviors, both before and after the advent of conduct problems" (4).

For more information, read the Model Policy and Guidance for Prohibiting Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying on School Property, at School-Sponsored Functions and On School Buses.

This year, Biotechnology High School introduces Mr. Vincent Sasso (Guidance Counselor) and Mr. Tony Schaible (Assistant Superintendent) as our Anti-Bullying Building Specialist and our Anti-Bullying District Coordinator, respectively. Together, they seek to provide moral support and protection for their students.

Justin Brown

Anti-Bullying Building Specialist

Tony Schaible

Anti-Bullying District Coordinator