Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Mr. Joseph Cappello, MSW, SAC
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, New Jersey 07110
(973) 661-8989
jcappello@nutleyschools.org
The "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act" enacted by the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly requires that each district post staff contact information, policies, and other information regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). The following information is intended to serve as a resource for parents/guardians, students and staff.
HIB Incident Report Form
Board Policies related to HIB:
Policy 5512 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
Policy 5600 Pupil Discipline / Code of Conduct
Regulation 5600 Pupil Discipline / Code of Conduct
HIB Presentations:
Parent/Guardian HIB Presentation
Staff HIB Presentation
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Definition
"Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents that:
- Is reasonably perceived as being motivated by either 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, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15.3,
- Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students; and that
a. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or
b. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
c. Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.
Schools are required to address harassment, intimidation, and bullying occurring off school grounds, when there is a nexus between the harassment, intimidation, and bullying and the school (e.g., the harassment, intimidation, or bullying substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students).
"Electronic communication" means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to: a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager.
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Grade:
The New Jersey Department of Education has released school and district grades as per the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (ABR) Act. These grades were determined by a self-assessment conducted by each school to evaluate its implementation of the ABR Act. The Nutley Public School District has posted its Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act grades to the district's website, the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying website, and each individual school's website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joseph Cappello, the Anti-Bullying Coordinator, at 973-661-8989.
NJDOE Websites and Resources
Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (click Parent Resources)
https://nj.gov/education/safety/sandp/hib/docs/ParentGuide.pdf
Guidance for Schools on Implementing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act
https://nj.gov/education/safety/sandp/hib/docs/guidance/guidance.pdf
New Jersey Department of Education Keeping Our Kids Safe, Healthy and in School
www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib
Anti-Bullying Staff
Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Joseph Cappello
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8989, jcappello@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Nutley High School
Erin Theodorou
300 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8839, etheodorou@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
John H. Walker Middle School
Alisa Gennace
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8875, agennace@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Lincoln School
Nancy Thunell
301 Harrison Street
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8502, nthunell@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Radcliffe School
Lauren Alfaro
379 Bloomfield Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 320-8483, lalfaro@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Spring Garden School
Lauren Alfaro
59 South Spring Garden Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 320-8384, lalfaro@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Washington School
Kelli Cerniglia
155 Washington Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 320-8383, kcerniglia@nutleyschools.org
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Yantacaw School
Merrill Barbone
20 Yantacaw Place
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 320-8427, mbarbone@nutleyschools.org
NJDOE School Climate State Coordinator
HIB@doe.nj.gov