Middletown North Gears Up for Week of Respect

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - From Middletown Township School District: Middletown High School North students and faculty spent the month of October observing the Week of Respect (October 2-6), School Violence Awareness Week (October 16-20) and Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31). School-wide initiatives took place to recognize the importance of character education, to foster a positive school climate and to emphasize the ongoing theme of social and emotional awareness.

“Strong teacher-student relationships naturally foster a positive and safe learning environment. Effective learning takes place when all students feel that they are confident and comfortable and are capable, connected and contributing members of their school community,” stated Dr. Patricia Vari-Cartier, Principal.

Several initiatives were spearheaded by four of Middletown North’s co-curricular clubs; North Ambassadors, Civic Leadership, Heroes and Cool Kids and Bottlecappers.

Week of Respect

• On Monday, October 2, students and staff wore blue to support Blue Shirt Day™ World Day of Bullying Prevention
• Co-curricular clubs developed a slogan to use throughout the month that showed respect for the school and local community
• Students participated in Project Connect in an effort to showcase what made them unique and proud of who they were as individuals with the message of celebrating differences and unity
• Students took an online pledge to be part of the We Will Generation
• A positive Middletown North Hero was highlighted
• On Thursday, October 5, students and staff “Teamed Up Against Bullying” and wore their favorite sports jersey
• Middletown North social media spread respect with the hashtag #Roar4Respect
  

School Violence Awareness Week

• Co-curricular clubs created messages with positive affirmations on 100 sidewalk squares, encouraging students as they walked into school
• “Penny Wars” were held throughout the week during lunch blocks, with fifty percent of the proceeds being donated to 180 Turning Lives Around, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence
  

Red Ribbon Week

• The North students and staff spread the word by using the slogan “Let’s Unite to be Drug Free”
• All students were encouraged to submit a drug-free PSA and a committee of students would select a winner
• On Wednesday, October 25, Middletown North celebrated Unity Day by wearing orange and posting images using the hashtag #UnityDay2017

In New Jersey, The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 2010, c.122) designates the Week of Respect as the first Monday in October of each year. Schools recognize this week by focusing on instruction and character education to prevent harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB).

According to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-5.1, the week including the third Monday in October of each year must be designated as School Violence Awareness Week in New Jersey.

National Family Partnerships (NFP) sponsors the National Red Ribbon Campaign™ to promote drug prevention, education, and advocacy. For more information on Middletown School District’s initiatives and programs, please visit www.middletownk12.org.

Image via Unsplash