Preventing Violence in Schools, Halloween Festivities This Week

It's School Violence Awareness Week for Hopatcong Borough Schools and Sparta Township Schools. Students in both districts will receive instruction this week with a special emphasis on learning how to step away from violence and to look for positive ways to deal with conflict. 

Last week, Hopatcong High School conducted several activities to prepare for the peace-minded observance, which runs through Friday. School counselors and teachers created posters and made morning announcements to promote respect for others and offer conflict resolution strategies. Physical education teachers used driver's theory and health classes to address road rage and dating violence prevention. And throughout the last school year and in September and October this year, the HHS social studies department incorporated violence awareness into lesson plans that will be utilized for this special week.

Violence Awareness Week covers the next five days, but Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Randina said teaching nonviolence and positive ways to resolve conflicts is a job that never ends. She said HHS administration and staffers work continually working to make the school environment a safe one for all who attend.

Also happening in Hopatcong and Sparta this week:

• On Monday, the Sparta Township Board of Education gathers for its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Mohawk Avenue School's auditorium, 18 Mohawk Ave. Meanwhile, at the same time, the Hopatcong school board holds its regular meeting at the HBS Administration Building, 2A Windsor Ave.
• We are about a week away from the Nov. 5 general election, and a local political group wants a big turnout. On Tuesday, come out for the Hopatcong Independent Club Get Out the Vote Rally from 7-10 p.m. at the Hopatcong Senior Center, 32 Lakeside Blvd. Board of Education candidates and Independent candidate for Sussex County surrogate Bob Morris have been invited to attend. And if you need bread and circuses to do your civic duty, refreshments will be available. For more info, call 973-601-1117.
• Voters have another opportunity to prepare for the election Wednesday at HEPTO's Meet the Candidates night. School board hopefuls will be on hand to present their platforms and take questions from residents. The event will be held at Durban Avenue School, 616 Durban Ave., at 7 p.m.
• Thursday is Halloween! Parents, dress your kids warmly and in bright colors to ensure their safety during trick or treating after dark. Most elementary schools will celebrate the holiday during daylight hours with parades and parties. Patch wishes everyone a day of revelry, good-natured fun, only nice tricks and safety.
• Be a part of history starting Friday: The American Cancer Society is inviting men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have never had cancer to join the third generation American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study in the hope of helping researchers find cures and reduce the occurrence of cancer. ACS says this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the research that may change the course of cancer forever. Enroll from Friday through Nov. 8 for this historic happening being done in partnership with Somerset Medical Center, Somerset Hills YMCA, Newton Medical Center, Sparta Cancer Center, and Sussex County YMCA. Visit ACS online for the schedule of dates, times and locations.
• Also on Friday, it's Student Photo Makeup Day at Hudson Maxim and Durban Avenue schools. Photo retakes will be offered at Hopatcong High School. If your student missed out, make sure they look sharp for posterity.