HIB/Affirmative Action
North Plainfield Schools have always had programs in place to educate students about Character Education and bullying. The new Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights confirms all we support, to provide every student with a safe learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB). "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. 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;
B. has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
C. 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.
Affirmative Action: The North Plainfield Board of Education affirms its responsibility to ensure all students equal educational opportunities regardless of sex, race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, social status, or economic status.
Jackie Fields has been designated as the Affirmative Action Officer (908-769-6000 ext.2186).
Grievance Procedure: A student and/or parent/guardian should make every effort to resolve a grievance at an informal conference with the staff member directly involved. This conference can be arranged through the principal's office or the superintendent's office. The affirmative action officer will be notified by the principal or the superintendent of the conference. If the grievance cannot be resolved through an informal conference, the grievant must file a written affirmative action grievance form with the school principal. If the matter involves a district concern rather than a school concern, the grievance should be filed with the superintendent.