From Chester's Policy:

The board expects all pupils to treat each other with civility and respect and not to engage in behavior that is disruptive or violent.  This type of behavior interferes with a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment. Therefore, the school district will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

The board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying against any pupil.

“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” is defined as any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, gender, a mental, physical or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on or off school grounds, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus and that:

1. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or

2. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

“Electronic communication” means a communication that is transmitted by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager, that takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus.

Chester's H.I.B. Policy

Access file below to Board Policy 5131 - Conduct Discipline, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Follow this link to R5131 - Administrative Regulatons for Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

/files/filesystem/regulations%20for%20hib%20policy%209-11.doc

Anti-Bullying Specialists

Each school is required to have an Anti-bullying Specialist, as outlined in the new law. The Anti-bullying Specialist's responsibilities include chairing the School Safety Team, leading the investigation of any reports of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, addressing situations involving bullying, and reporting on the investigations to administration. 

Our schools Anti-bullying Specialists are listed below. 

Dickerson Elementary School:

(908)879-5313, 250 State Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930 

Michelle Lakefield, michelle.lakefield@chester-nj.org Guidance Counselor  

Bragg Intermediate School:

(908)879-5324, 250 State Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930

Karen Andolina, karen.andolina@chester-nj.org Guidance Counselor

Jenna Spence, jenna.spence@chester-nj.org Guidance Counselor 

Black River Middle School:

(908)879-6363, Route 513 North Road, Chester, NJ 07930

Amal Azzara, amal.azzara@chester-nj.org Guidance Counselor  

Michele Belfiore, michele.belfiore@chester-nj.org Guidance Couselor   

Brad Currie, Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, serves as the Anti-Bullying Coordinator for the Chester Schools. brad.currie@chester-nj.org (908) 879-7373, ext 6314