Harassment Intimidation and Bullying
The Mahwah Board of Education takes incidents of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying very seriously. The district's policy on such matters is included below. Staff members have been assigned in each school (as well as on the district level) to address any such incidents. Any student, parent or staff member with concerns related to harassment and/or bullying are encouraged to discuss the matter with the teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and building level anti-bullying specialists.
| Name | Title | Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Rizzo | District Anti-Bullying Coordinator | 60 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | lrizzo@mahwah.k12.nj.us | 201 - 762-2282 |
|
Criag Jandoli Michael McCabe |
Mahwah High School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 50 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | 201-762-2300 | |
|
Marykate Coakley Cassidy Sarka Peter Gangemi |
Ramapo Ridge Middle School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 150 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | 201-762-2380 | |
| Ashley Adams | Joyce Kilmer School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 80 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | aadams@mahwah.k12.nj.us | 201-762-2276 |
| Natasha Carrera | Lenape Meadows School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 160 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | ncarrera@mahwah.k12.nj.us | 201-762-2266 |
| Alyssa Cipriano | Betsy Ross School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 20 Malcolm Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 | acipriano@mawah.k12.nj.us | 201-762-2284 |
| John Macri | George Washington School Anti-Bullying Specialist | 39 Fardale Ave. Mahwah, NJ 07430 | jmacri@mahwah.k12.nj.us | 201-762-2287 |
Our commitment to you is the same as it has always been. We investigate all reports of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Not every incident will be deemed a confirmed incident of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. When actions are deemed as issues of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, we will investigate, report, discipline, and remediate consistent with our Code of Conduct and the requirements of the law.
Our district is committed to creating a safe environment by participating in various programs, including Responsive Classroom, Restorative Practices, Operation Respect, and the Bully Busting curriculum from the New Jersey State Bar Association. Additionally, all schools in Mahwah will be incorporating activities and events during New Jersey’s Week of Respect in October.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, or the building principal.
Legal Definition of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying
Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying:
Definition from NJSA: 18A:37-14: "Harassment, intimidation or bullying" means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either 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, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, c.122 (C.18A:37-15.3), that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that:
- A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, 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 person or damage to his property;
- Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
- 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.
L.2002, c.83, s.2; amended 2007, c.129, s.1; 2010, c.122, s.11.
New Jersey Department of Education
Contact information for the School Climate State Coordinator (HIB@doe.nj.gov)
Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying Information
Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act