Barnegat Township Schools Recognize National Anti-Bullying Month

Barnegat Township, NJ – As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, Barnegat Township School District (BTSD) demonstrated its dedication to fostering a positive school environment and respectful culture through a ‘Week of Respect’ with various social and emotional learning opportunities for students focused on bullying prevention.

All schools in the district collaboratively recognized the importance of student well-being, centering class curriculum and social activities around social and emotional learning. Schools also held events aimed at having students reflect on their personal definition of respect and how to demonstrate this trait to their peers on a daily basis.

“It is our job to ensure students can learn in an environment that is conducive for academic growth, with the added goal of fostering a climate of respect, compassion and empathy so students can build positive relationships, develop socially and succeed academically,” said BTSD Superintendent Brian Latwis. “Each year, across the district, we celebrate and embrace one of our most valued district traits—respect. Our schools do this through a series of evidence-based activities, aligned with national standards and our mission to nurture and educate students while preparing them for responsible citizenship and success in life.”

To kick off National Prevention Month, students and teachers showed their commitment to bullying prevention during the first week of October through a ‘Week of Respect’ with each day of the week highlighting a different theme and lesson for students. The themes were applicable for all grades K-12 and provided opportunities for districtwide spirit days to show unity. This included students and staff wearing tie-dye as a demonstration of peace, sporting bright colors to let kindness shine, and donning silly socks as a fun, bonding experience for students. In addition, schools across the district individually celebrated Violence Prevention Week by embracing concepts that foster a positive school climate and demonstrating ways students can show respect not just for each other but also for their community.

Barnegat High School students participated in a series of spirit activities during its Week of Respect held October 7-11. To recognize the importance of social and emotional learning and character-building education, a series of inspirational quotes from famous leaders, musicians and celebrities were shared as part of the morning announcements, with respective challenges, calling students to action by thanking their teachers, doing random acts of kindness and sharing compliments.

During the week of October 14-18, the Russell O. Brackman Middle School created a series of actions and affirmations for students to partake in that embodied respect and gratitude. Throughout the week students were encouraged to thank loved ones, send positive notes to friends, express gratitude to teachers, give compliments to peers, and sit with someone new at lunch.

During that same week, the Robert L. Horbelt Intermediate School celebrated violence prevention with a weeklong series of activities focused on compassion, building of character, showing kindness and building inner wealth. This included the showing of the video Kindness 101 with follow-up discussion, a special assembly for 5th and 6th grade students titled Seeing Through the Vapor and concluding the week with reviewing a list of ‘emotionally nutritious’ words developed by students.

Focused on the national campaign, No Place for Hate, the Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School had students sign the nationally recognized pledge as part of their celebration of Violence Prevention Week during the week of October 16-20. As a symbol of respect, inclusion and standing up against violence and bullying, the pledges empower unity, the message that all students should have a place where they belong.

The Cecil S. Collins Elementary School held its School Violence Awareness Week October 21-25 by holding events to promote a peaceful, safe, and welcoming environment where students feel respected and connected to their teachers/school staff. Students designed artwork of t-shirts with images and messages of peace which were displayed on the school walls and part of classroom discussions.

“In addition to celebrating this national event, our school district continually seeks to address and prevent harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) and foster a positive school climate and culture within all of our schools,” said Latwis. “This is accomplished through our swift reporting procedures, the communication of our dedicated anti-bullying specialists, school safety teams, administration and staff, and especially through the implementation of school-based programs and initiatives to target anti-bullying behavior and to improve school climate overall.”

Throughout the school year, BTSD focuses on continuously improving its HIB training and increasing staff engagement in the process. These efforts build on the district’s strengths in the areas of HIB reporting procedures, curriculum and instruction, and in the continued implementation of initiatives to target and prevent bullying, harassment and intimidation, and to provide for the creation of a safe and nurturing school environment.

For more information regarding BTSD’s Bully Prevention and Education programs, visit www.barnegatschools.com.