Sussex-Wantage Regional School community strives to foster a school climate where character, respect, and tolerance are encouraged and recognized. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our students and staff in the district. Since the inception of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights law in 2011, the district has implemented training and programs designed to educate all stakeholders and maintain the integrity of its intent. There are comprehensive procedures in place to address all reported incidents of HIB. Our students and staff are actively involved through participation in school/district sponsored assemblies, workshops, and trainings. We are proud to announce that the district was notified in 2014-2015 that it was selected by the Center for Prevention and Counseling in Newton, NJ to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Olweus Program (pronounced Ol-VAY- us) is a comprehensive approach that includes schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community components. The program is focused on long-term change that creates a safe and positive school climate. It is designed and evaluated for use in elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools (K-12). The program’s goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among schoolchildren and to improve peer relations at school. The program has been found to reduce bullying among students, improve the social climate of classrooms, and reduce related anti-social behaviors, such as vandalism and truancy. The Olweus Program has been implemented in more than a dozen countries around the world, and in thousands of schools in the United States. In March 2016, the district celebrated its Olweus Program “kickoff” with promotion and activities centered around a “Friendship Day” theme. We are also proud to announce that the district recently received a score of 73 (out of a possible 78 points) on its Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. This reflects a district average among its three schools.
The information and resources below (documents and links) are provided to you in the hope that you will familiarize yourself with the law and processes. Reporting students may report bullying to teachers or other school staff, the social worker, guidance counselors or to school administrators. Anonymous reporting may be done by writing a note and putting it in the Bully Box located outside the counselor's office. Parents or guardians of students may also report suspected bullying with an administrator or through the online form (338 Form) located on this page. Any teachers or other school staff who witness acts of bullying or who receive student reports of bullying shall notify school administrators promptly of such acts. All reports of suspected bullying shall remain confidential. Upon receipt of any of the foregoing reports, the principal (or designee) will notify the Anti-Bullying Specialist to initiate an investigation.
