Schools
Violence Awareness Week Helps Kids Learn to Keep the Peace
Anti-bullying activities during the special week were designed to promote positivity throughout Hopatcong schools.
Preventing violence is an important concept being taught in schools across the nation, and Hopatcong is no exception. Students at the borough's public elementary schools participated in an array of activities and exercises last week as part of School Violence Awareness Week, an effort designed to keep schools safe and free from bullying.
Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Randina said the program continues the push toward positivity she announced would be a district priority at the part of this school year. This was accomplished in different ways at the elementary schools.
At Hudson Maxim School, which covers preschool through first grade, students focused on spreading positive energy through exercises using the theme of "Hopping on the Energy Bus." School counselor Lisa Schuffenhauer taught students about the “High Five,” a means of problem solving that includes five different steps to take in solving problems. Students listened for examples of the “High Five” in children’s literature, including "The Energy Bus for Kids" and "Llama Llama and the Bully Goat" during the class lessons.
The books on anti-bullying were purchased for each classroom at Hudson Maxim School with Lessons for Literacy grant funding from the Hopatcong Education Association, said Randina, who added that township residents are welcome to visit classrooms to read the books for themselves. The books, she said will also be sent home for families to read together throughout the school year.
Music classes also got involved in the week-long celebration, according to the superintendent. Music teacher Linda Blazier sang the “Energy Bus Song” with her music classes.
Even school bus drivers were part of the effort to teach children life lessons. Every morning, the drivers shared positive affirmations with the children, among them, “I am ready for a great day!” and “I believe in myself!”
At Tulsa Trail, which covers second and third grades, second graders reviewed the “High Five” of problem solving that they learned at Hudson Maxim at last year's School Violence Awareness Week. Lisa Schuffenhauer taught lessons based on the book "Bully Beans" by Julie Cook. Students listened for examples of the “High Five” in the story.
In another activity, the students decorated T-shirts with anti-bullying messages. Randina said the lesson dovetailed nicely with the themes the children learned during Respect Week, which was observed in Hopatcong schools in early October.
On Friday, the final day of Violence Awareness Week, Randina said students showed their school spirit by wearing yellow, designated as the color of respect in the Six Pillars Program. The program lists six important traits of character-filled people: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
The week ended with a performance for Hudson Maxim and Tulsa Trail students by the Bright Star Children’s Theater. “Sadie’s Spectacular Saturday” highlighted the negative effects of bullying and shared ways to stop bullying. It taught students to stand together against bullies, ignore mean words and walk away from conflict.
The lessons from the show, which reinforced the "High Five" lesson from the beginning of Violence Awareness Week, also taught students to use their words and get help from an adult if they are being bullied, Randina said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.