The Oaklyn Public School System wants each student to experience a safe and bully-free educational environment. Bullying comes in many forms, including new, high-tech cyber-bullying. Please consult these resources for information on the prevention of bullying. Students should never hesitate to see their counselor or an administrator if they experience bullying in school.

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 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; and that 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, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other pupils; and that:

• 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; or

• Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils; or

• 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 pupil.

Beginning in September 2011, the Oaklyn School District has conscientiously implemented the requirements found in the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR) by appointing a district antibullying coordinator, a school anti-bullying specialist, and training all staff and students on the meaning of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in accordance with District Policy 5512.

Furthermore, several efforts to increase students’ awareness of the negative consequences that frequently result from acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying were implemented. While many of these efforts are embedded into our curriculum, several special events and assemblies are also planned to reinforce one of many anti-bullying messages.

During the first several years of implementation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, our school district has made progress in addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying and the school climate and culture by establishing programs and initiatives to support our anti-bullying efforts, such as our annual Week of Respect activities and Character Education Initiatives.

While completing the self-assessment, we learn about areas where our school district has demonstrated strengths and areas upon which we can improve.

Click here to review the most recent HIB Grade Report 2022