Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

When trying to determine if an incident is HIB, compare it against the definition.

HIB Defined:

Does the incident meet all of the following?

Harassment, Intimidation, or bullying means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communications, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents that:

... is reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical, or sensory disability; or by any other distinguishing characteristic

... takes place on school property, at any school sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds

... substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students.

And, does it meet one of these?

A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a pupil or damaging the pupil's property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property.

Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students.

Creates a hostile educational environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil's education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

Reports and Downloads

HIB Contacts

District Anti-Bullying Coordinator	Mr. Jeffrey Hallenbeck Assistant Superintendent for Business jhallenbeck@hopatcongschools.org 973-770-8844
Durban Avenue Elementary School	Lisa Schuffenhauer Anti-Bullying Specialist, Guidance Counselor lschuffenhauer@hopatcongschools.org 973-770-8805
Tulsa Trail Elementary School	Christina Takacs Anti-Bullying Specialist, Guidance Counselor ctakacs@hopatcongschools.org 973-770-8806
Hopatcong Middle School	Melissa Kennedy Anti-Bullying Specialist, Guidance Counselor - Grades 4-5 mkennedy@hopatcongschools.org 973-770-8872 Danielle Manisa Anti-Bullying Specialist, Guidance Counselor - Grades 6-7 dmanisa@hopatcongschools.org 973-770-8871
Hopatcong High School	Kurt Zimmermann Anti-Bullying Specialist, Coordinator of Student Discipline kzimmermann@hopatcongschools.org 973-398-8803

State Contact Information

NJDoE State School Climate Coordinator
hib@doe.nj.gov