New Jersey school personnel will joint social workers next month for a two-day conference that will cover the state’s new anti-bullying law.
The conference is presented by Prevention First, a non-profit organization that provides research-based prevention programs on child safety and health, and Monmouth University’s School of Social Work.
The law includes school buses under school property where harassment, intimidation or bullying based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identify and expression, disability or any other “distinguishing characteristic” is prohibited. The law also requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying on school buses as well as other school property.
Prevention First said speakers will present current information on bullying with an emphasis on the state anti-bullying law. Attendees will learn details of what the new law means for effective bullying prevention and intervention in the incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) in New Jersey school districts. The goal is to discuss how to create a positive school climate where students and school personnel feel safe and respected.
Topics will include:
- “Putting the Cart before the Horse: Identifying and Defining Bullying under the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act”
- “Responding to Bullying in a School Environment”
- “Resolutions to Bullying in a School Environment”
- “Bullying & Suicide: Facts and Fiction”
- “Proper Responses to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues”
- “Implementing Olweus: It’s Successes and Challenges”
The anti-bullying conference is scheduled for Aug. 21 and 22 in Ocean Township, N.J. Attendees must attend both days to receive 12 continuing education credits for scoial work. An early-bird registration fee of $245 per person is offered through August 6, after which time registration increases to $275.
