Mission Statement:

The School Safety Team of the Robert Treat Academy creates a safe and secure environment where all students can feel respected and valued and meet their full academic and social potential without fear of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Dedication to School Climate:

Robert Treat Academy is committed to following the creeds of the National School Climate Council (NSCC). The prevention of acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying is a key component of the development and maintenance of a positive school climate. RTA engages in systemic and sustained harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention efforts. With weekly Character Educations class, school wide events and programs and teacher HIB training our staff and students are empowered to maintain a positive and supportive climate within the RTA community.

This climate includes:

• Every individual contributes to the constructive environment of the school and to the awareness of one another.    

• Students, families and educators work together as a community to cultivate and support the school vision.

• Morals, ethics and expectations support all students and staff in feeling socially, emotionally and physically safe.

 • Individuals are involved and appreciated with a school wide line of respect.

 • Educators model and nurture beliefs that support the benefits of gaining knowledge and learning.

ROBERT TREAT ACADEMY HAS RECEIVED ITS OFFICIAL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL GRADE BASED ON THE NJ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOL SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR DETERMINING GRADES UNDER THE ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF RIGHTS.   

 THE ACADEMY SCORED 76 POINTS OUT OF A POSSIBLE TOTAL OF 78 POINTS ON THE ASSESSMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE GRADE LINK FOR OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT. 

 HIB.pdf 

What is the definition of HIB under the NJ Anti-bullying Bill of Rights?

HIB means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication,

whether it be a single incident or 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; and takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or off school grounds as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18a:37-15.3; and 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; or 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.

Conflict vs. Bullying

Bullying is not a conflict between students or among groups of students. Conflict is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement or an argument which is a normal part of human development. Bullying is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one or more person's aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

"Harmful or demeaning conduct motivated only by another reason, for example, a dispute about a relationship or personal belongings, or aggressive conduct without identifiable motivation does not come within the statutory definition of bullying." K.L. v. Evesham School District (App. Div. 2011)

There generally are four types of bullying behaviors. These behaviors and some examples are identified below:

   • Verbal – Includes taunting, name calling, malicious teasing or making threats (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001);

   • Psychological – Includes spreading rumors, purposefully excluding people from activities, breaking up friendships (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001);

   • Physical – Includes hitting, punching, shoving, spitting or taking personal belongings (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001); and

   • Cyberbullying – Includes using the Internet, mobile phone or other digital technologies to harm others. (DuPage County Anti-Bullying Model Policy and Best Practices, 2011).

Cyberbullies use the Internet or cell phones to send hurtful messages or post information to damage people’s reputation and friendships. Here are some examples of kinds of cyberbullying:

Flaming: Online fights using electronic messages with angry and vulgar language.

Harassment: Repeatedly sending nasty, mean, and insulting messages.

Denigration: “Dissing” someone online. Sending or posting gossip or rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships.

Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person in trouble or danger or to damage that person’s reputation or friendships.

Outing: Sharing someone’s secrets or embarrassing information or images online.

Trickery: Tricking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information, then sharing it online.

Exclusion: Intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online group.

Cyberstalking: Repeated, intense harassment and denigration that includes threats or creates significant fear.