Kids & Family
Visions of Kindness and Tolerance Fill Hopatcong Schools
Hopatcong Borough Schools' Respect Week was five days of fun and meaningful character education.
All last week, Hopatcong Borough Schools offered students a variety of activities and experiences to mark Respect Week.
The schools' message was, "Respect: You Learn It, You Earn it."
"Hopatcong School District is more than prepared to educate their students [not only] academically, but socially and emotionally as well," said the district guidance counselor and anti-bullying specialist Gina Cinotti, pointing to the importance of character education. "Some researchers state the social-emotional side of child development is paramount before any other learning can take place."
Cinotti said that K-12 anti-bullying specialists from the district, including guidance counselors, the student assistance coordinator, the crisis counselor and administrators, met in September to create comprehensive prevention programs and events for each school in preparation for October events to align with the state's planned Oct. 7-11 Week of Respect.
"The state's anti-bullying law is considered the toughest in the country and New Jersey requires public schools have anti-bullying policies in place," Cinotti said. "Hopatcong is more than equipped with the staff, resources, and inspirational programs to meet these requirements."
Cinotti gathered together stakeholders to ensure Hopatcong schools go above and beyond to meet the needs of all learners.
"Student input is also a large part of the implementation process," she explained. "Programs and messages at the elementary, middle and secondary levels are age-appropriate and are executed by the counseling staff in fun and exciting ways."
She said programs, events and topics included:
- Acts of Kindness
- Rainbow Express
- C.U.R.E. (Children United to Respect Everyone)
- Spirit Days
- Diversity Day, Mix It UP Day
- icebreaker lessons
- Celebrity speaker Duane West on respecting self, staff, community
"Messages of tolerance are not just implemented this week, but throughout the school year," Cinotti's statement continued. "Hopatcong Schools show evidence that they are sensitive, supportive, and respect all."
Respect Week, observed in Hopatcong and also in Sparta schools, is part of the New Jersey mandate to reduce incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying. If the attached photos are any indication, the kids learned much and had a super time.
All photos are courtesy of Hopatcong Borough Schools.
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