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October is an extremely busy month for schools. In accordance with Governor Chris Christie’s Anti– Bullying Bill of Rights Act, and National Drug Awareness Week, our district has joined forces with the Franklin Community in offering various school based community programs and activities in recognition of the Week of Respect, Violence Awareness Week, and Red Ribbon Week. As Franklin Township schools recognize the importance of instilling respect for diversity and tolerance in the classroom, assemblies and classroom activities will begin the first week of October in recognition of these nationwide events. Additional learning opportunities will continue throughout the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year; Please see the list of activities that will be implemented during the fall months.

Fall 2016

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Connections Peer Leadership Program

S TUDENT ASSIS TANCE N EWS LETTER GR ADES K -8

For the past 9 years, several middle and high school students spent one week during the month of August having a great time getting to know one another while developing team building and leadership skills to be used throughout their lives! These students are the peer leaders/mentors of the Connections program and participate in the Connections summer camp! Connections is a peer mentor/leadership program that brings middle and high school students together under the direction of faculty advisors. Middle school students meet with their advisors weekly and are involved in activities to provide support, help with and achieve goals and assist in enhancing leadership skills. The middle school mentees meet in a group setting with their high school mentors monthly to further develop confidence and skills to be successful personally and academically. Now that school is well underway, these 7th and 8th grade students meet weekly in advisory groups. Some of the activities they will participate in during the school year include: assisting with Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week, Participating with the Meet and Greet program through the Guidance Department, and participating in Community Service Programs.

A FREE 7-week program for 10-14 year olds and their parents/ caregivers on October 18&25 and November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 sessions run from 6:30

to 8:30 pm

Topics Will Include:

Communication skills

Stress management

Self Esteem

Family Fun

Problem Solving

For more information or to pre-register for the program, contact:

Valerie Northey LCSW, LCADC, SAC

Student Assistance Coordinator k-8, Franklin Township Public Schools (732)- 249-610 ext. 217

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Franklin Middle School WEEK OF RESPECT

October 4, 2016 Words of Wisdom Theme: Respect your School Wear Blue or Gold

October5, 2016 Words of Wisdom Theme: Respecting Others Wear cultural items of clothing

October7, 2016 Words of Wisdom Theme: Respect in the Community Wear Blue to show World Peace

October 20, 2016 Steered Straight Assembly: Michael DeLeon Motivational speaker Ms. Beattie’s Drama class will be doing a docudrama on violence and bullying Ms. Samora’s social studies classes will receive lessons on the Holocaust RED RIBBON WEEK @ FMS

October 26, 2016 Morning Pledge To Be Drug Free Connections Students to distribute Ribbons, bracelets and Educational Materials during lunches

October 27,2016 Daily Announcements Theme: Alcohol, tobacco, Drug Education Wear Red in recognition of a Drug Free School

Hillcrest School

WEEK OF RESPECT

Tues., Oct. 4th

Morning announcement:

“Respecting Other Cultures” Acrostic Poetry Contest for grades 2-4

Wed., Oct. 5th

Morning announcement: “Respecting Other Cultures”

“National Stomp Out Bullying Day”- Wear blue

Thurs., Oct. 6th

Morning announcement: “Respecting Other Cultures”

“Be a Peacemaker” Assembly

Fri., Oct. 7th

Morning announcement: “Respecting Other Cultures” Acrostic Poems are due for judging

VIOLENCE AWARENESS WEEK

Tuesday, Oct. 18th

Students will recite the Anti-Bullying Pledge all together during morning announcements

“Hillcrest School is a Peaceful School”

Students will explain what a peaceful school looks like to them on a school template.

Wednesday, Oct. 19th

Fire Safety Assembly- PreK-4

Thursday, Oct. 20th

Bullying survey- to be completed by students in grades 2-4

RED RIBBON WEEK

Monday, Oct. 24th

Give out “Drug Free” bracelets to all students.

*Anti-Bullying classroom lessons for all students throughout the month of

October

Upcoming Programs/Activities

Pinegrove Manor School

WEEK OF RESPECT

Tuesday, October 4th, 2016

Blue Shirt Day – World Day of Bullying Prevention. Please encourage all students to wear a blue shirt!

Week of Respect Pledge

Have each student sign the provided anti-bullying pledge to take home.

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Help create a GIANT chain of respect!

Each child will complete a strip (provided in packet) with a positive message or word showing what respect means to them.

Teachers will assemble into class chains and return to Ms. Schussel, who will assemble into a school chain to display by the main office.

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Create “New Year’s Resolutions in October”

Have students discuss and write down things they would like to change or improve in school, home, with friends, etc.

Hold onto these resolutions to have students revisit at the end of the year.

Peacemaker Assembly

K-2 9:15-10:15, 3&4 10:15-11:5

During recess students will be able to sign the “One school, one goal: bully & drug free!” pledge.

Friday, October 7th, 2016

Chalk it up to Respect

Classes will go outside (between the back entrance and the trailers) and draw respect messages on the blacktop leading into the building.

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In celebration of Red Ribbon Week tell us how you “Live Above the Influence”. There won’t always be someone to help us know what is right or wrong. In one second, you can make a decision that will affect the rest of your life. It’s not easy. You may not always get it right. Here’s the thing...it’s your call...your life. This is your chance to define yourself. To stand up for who are, instead of letting others define you.

Students are encouraged to show your true passions and natural highs that help you stay above the influence of negativity, gossip, substance use, underage drinking and other unhealthy influences. Posters will be recognized for promoting a drug,

tobacco and alcohol-free lifestyle and/or the creative design of your own Above the Influence symbol.

Posters created by students must be their own original artwork. No copyrighted characters or clip art. Students may use a variety of media, such as watercolor, pen & ink, crayon, chalk, markers, or they can be computer generated. Minimum size 8.5” x 11” and Maximum 18’ x 24”. Landscape layout only. Each entry must have the Name, Address, Phone #, Age and Grade on the back of the poster. Full contest rules can be found at www.franklintwpnj.org on the Municipal Alliance webpage.

The poster contest is open to students in grades K-12 and will be judged for grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Contest winners will be recognized at a Township Council meeting in November.

Posters should be submitted to the Franklin Township Department of Parks & Recreation no later than Monday, October 31, 2016.

Live Above the Influence Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest

Upcoming Programs and Activities Continued

Recreation Department Township of Franklin 505 Demott Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 732-873-2500

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Anti–Bullying Quizzes for Children

Quiz: Are you bullying? (http://www.girlshealth.gov/bullying/quizzes/quiz.bullying.html)

Do you repeatedly make mean faces or bad hand signs to others?

Yes No

Do you spread rumors or say mean things about others behind their backs?

Yes No

Do you make fun of or tease other teens often?

Yes No

Do you whisper secrets to a friend in front of another person and then not share the secret with him or her on purpose?

Yes No

Have you purposely not invited someone to hang out with you to hurt that person?

Yes No

Have you been or are you currently part of a clique that is very picky and mean about who can join?

Yes No

Do you often make fun of others because they are “different” from you or your friends?

Yes No

Have you repeatedly threatened to hurt someone?

Yes No

Have you punched, shoved, or hit someone who is weaker than you?

Yes No

Has someone made faces or bad hand signs to you?

Yes No

Quiz: Are You being Bullied? (http://www.girlshealth.gov/bullying/quizzes/quiz.bullied.html)

Has someone spread rumors or said mean things about you?

Yes No

Do others tease you?

Yes No

Has someone purposely embarrassed you in public?

Yes No

Does a person often take something of yours or purposely break it?

Yes No

Have you been left out of games, activities, or eating lunch with other people?

Yes No

Has a clique left you out and not let you be part of their group?

Yes No

Have you been made fun of because of your clothes, hair, glasses, race or ethnicity, or religion?

Yes No

Has someone threatened you over and over again?

Yes No

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Lots of us see someone being bullied at some point. It may be easier to just stand by, or even to laugh. But if you are brave and kind, you can be a real hero. Remember, the person being bullied may feel

awful and all alone.

Here are some ways you can make a difference when you see bullying:

Don’t join in or watch bullying. Bullies love an audience. Walk away, and see if you can get others to leave, too. Of course, don’t just abandon someone who is in real danger. Go get help.

Stop any rumors. If someone tells you gossip, don’t pass it on to others. You wouldn’t want someone spreading rumors about you!

Stand up for the person. If it feels safe, defend the person being bullied. Bullies often care a lot about being popular and powerful. If you make the bullying seem uncool, the bully may stop.

Tell an adult. If you feel uncomfortable telling an adult, ask the adult to keep your comments private.

Encourage the bullied person to talk to an adult. Offer to go with them.

Offer support. Ask if the person is okay. Be friendly the next day. You can make a big difference just by showing you care. When you help someone who’s being bullied, you may also help yourself. It can feel great to support someone in need and to stand up for what you believe!

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There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying—either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help.

It is important to talk with children who show signs of being bullied or bullying others. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depression or substance abuse. Talking to the child can help identify the root of the problem.

Signs a Child is Being Bullied

Look for changes in the child. However, be aware that not all children who are bullied exhibit warning signs.

Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are:

Unexplainable injuries

Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry

Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness

Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares

Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

Signs a Child is Bullying Others

Kids may be bullying others if they:

Get into physical or verbal fights

Have friends who bully others

Are increasingly aggressive

Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently

Have unexplained extra money or new belongings

Blame others for their problems

Don’t accept responsibility for their actions Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity

Why don't kids ask for help?

Statistics from the 2012 Indicators of School Crime and Safety show that an adult was notified in less than half (40%) of bullying incidents. Kids don’t tell adults for many reasons:

Bullying can make a child feel helpless. Kids may want to handle it on their own to feel in control again. They may fear being seen as weak or a tattletale.

Kids may fear backlash from the kid who bullied them.

Bullying can be a humiliating experience. Kids may not want adults to know what is being said about them, whether true or false. They may also fear that adults will judge them or punish them for being weak. Kids who are bullied may already feel socially isolated. They may feel like no one cares or could understand. Kids may fear being rejected by their peers. Friends can help protect kids from bullying, and kids can fear losing this support. (http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/warning-signs/index.html)

Anti-Bullying Resources for Parents