|
Dear Sussex County School Staff,
The New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-29) requires public school districts to designate this week as a time to focus on preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) and promoting a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive school environment.
It’s also a great opportunity to kick off year-long kindness and respect initiatives!
To make it easy, the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, a program of the Center for Prevention & Counseling, has put together daily themes, social media posts, and simple activities and project ideas that schools can use throughout the week.
We hope you find these resources helpful and easy to use!
Your friends at the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities
| | |
We would recommend STARTING HERE.
The NJDOE has updated its resource page with information, guidance, and resources to help schools plan and participate in
Week of Respect
| |
| |
Monday, October 5
Hats off to Respect
| | |
Start Week of Respect by wearing your favorite hat! Let’s celebrate kindness and respect while showing that everyone has a place in our school community.
Activity: "Respect Pledge" Students create a personal pledge (perhaps even a sticker or badge to wear on their shirt stating how they will choose respect every day) or make it a classroom pledge that everyone in the class agrees on and signs.
| | |
|
Social Media Caption:
💙 Today kicks off Week of Respect!
In recognition of World Bullying Prevention Day, we’re joining the New Jersey Department of Education in encouraging schools and students to choose respect, lead with kindness, and create a culture of inclusion.
Together, we can build school communities where everyone feels safe, included, and respected. 💙
#WeekOfRespect #WorldBullyingPreventionDay #ChooseRespect #LeadWithKindness #NJSchools
| | | | |
Tuesday, October 6
Team up Tuesday
| | |
Team Up Tuesday: Team Up for Respect. Wear your favorite sports gear/jersey, it can be a team or club you belong to.
| | |
|
Social Media Caption:
Team Up Tuesday! 💙🤝
Respect is a team effort! This Week of Respect, let’s team up to include others, cheer each other on, and show kindness throughout our school community. When we work together, everyone belongs!
Remember tomorrow is star day- students wear space theme or pajamas!
#WeekOfRespect #TeamUpTuesday #ChooseKindness #YouBelong
| | | | |
Upstander Video for elementary level | | |
Wednesday, October 7
Reach for the Stars
| | |
Everyone has the potential to shine. Dress Like a Star: Wear space-themed clothing, pajamas, or anything with stars.
Activity Idea: Create star notes. Students write something positive about another student, teacher, or staff member on a paper star. Create a classroom/school “star wall.”
| | |
Social Media Caption:
Every act of kindness and respect matters! This Week of Respect, remember that kindness is always the right choice.
Check out this free toolkit for tips on encouraging kindness at home: Kindness at Home Parent/Guardian Guide
#WeekOfRespect #MakeKindnessTheNorm #ChooseKindness
| | | | |
Thursday, October 8
Mismatched Day
| | |
Everyone is Unique!
Today is a day to celebrate that with a reminder about self-respect!
Wear school colors or mismatched clothing/socks.
| |
Activity Idea: We All Fit Together. Everyone belongs.
- Give each student a puzzle piece to decorate with something that makes them unique.
- Put the pieces together to create a school-wide “We All Belong” display.
- Challenge students to learn something new about someone they don't know well.
| | |
|
Social Media Caption:
Today’s Week of Respect theme: Everyone is UNIQUE! Celebrate what makes you and your kids special. Remind them (and yourself!) that being yourself is something to be proud of. Self-respect is the first step to kindness!
#WeekOfRespect #CelebrateUniqueness #SelfRespect"
| | | | |
Friday, October 9
Blue and Gold Day!
| | |
Let's wrap up the week by wearing blue or gold to show unity and support for Respect. NJDOE named Friday as Blue and Gold Day across the state. #NJGoesGoldandBlue
Activity: Partner Interviews- Students interview a classmate and introduce them to the group, fostering communication and empathy.
|
| | |
|
Social Media Caption:
Today, we’re wearing our gold and blue to wrap up Week of Respect! Let’s show that respect continues every day through kindness, inclusion, and how we treat others.
Challenge: Do one kind thing for someone today! 💙💛
#WeekOfRespect #NJGoesGoldOrBlue #ChooseRespect #BeKind
| | | |
Neon for Nice-ness: Wear Bright colors.
Dream Big, Respect Always: Pajama day.
Lift Others Up: Wear uplifting messages on your shirt.
Spread your wings: wear butterfly, nature or colorful.
Music Brings Us together: Wear a band or musical shirt.
| | |
| |
Have students try to accomplish one of the activities list below.
- Share something positive on social media
- Create a positive affirmation card to use when feeling upset
- Pick up 10 pieces of trash seen around school and throw it out
- Slip a nice note into your friends backpack or locker
- Say hello to student you've never meet and ask their name
- Eat lunch with someone new
- Hold the door for a stranger
- Compliment someone genuinely. Let them know you notice their effort or kindness.
- Leave a small surprise or uplifting note in a common area for anyone to find.
Or use one of the resources included here: Bingo Card, Worksheet & Images
or Kindness Calendar.
| | |
Week of Respect Goal:
Provide students with a safe and supportive school environment devoid of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), encourages academic success and increased social and emotional competence.
NJ Department of Education
| | More Resources/Activity Ideas | | |
PREVENTION RESOURCES
Warm Line (973) 383-4787
Youth, Family, & Community Programs, Community Coalitions, Tobacco Free NJ, WSCC
TREATMENT RESOURCES
Adult & Adolescent Substance Use Counseling
Think-Act-Grow, Anger Management, Alcohol & Other Drug Screening, Early Intervention Education
HARM REDUCTION RESOURCES
Syringe Access Program, Safer Use & Wound Care Supplies, Healthcare & Treatment Referrals, Peer Support & Counseling, Overdose Prevention
| | | |
THE CENTER FOR PREVENTION
AND COUNSELING
61 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
P. (973) 383.4787
F. (973) 383.6576
| | |
SUSSEX COUNTY RECOVERY
COMMUNITY CENTER
61 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
P. (973) 940.2966 | EMAIL
| | | | |
