Schools

"Week of Respect" Begins Oct 3 at Bloomfield Public Schools

Information provided by the Bloomfield Public School district

The Bloomfield School district has declared Oct. 3-7 “The Week of Respect.”  Each school will sponsor a series of activities designed to enhance awareness among students and staff about the dangers of bullying. 

Attached is a staff memo from Bloomfield High School Guidance Counselor Cindy Sherman, the coordinator for BHS’s anti-bullying team, outlining a five-day schedule of events for the high school. 

These anti-bullying initiatives, which will be buttressed by ongoing staff training and professional development programs, have been put in place to comply with the state’s “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” that was signed into law earlier this year, making New Jersey the state with the strongest stance against school bullying in the nation.

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“Creating ‘The Week of Respect’ has offered a great opportunity for everyone to work together," says Cindy Sherman, BHS Anti-Bullying Coordinator.  "It’s been heartwarming to see the overwhelming response by teachers, administrators, and students to our efforts . . .People are taking the law seriously. The coming week is meant to send the message to our students that we are taking incidences of bullying very seriously, a message we hope will carry through the rest of the year. Further, we will have guest speakers and training and development programs throughout the year to keep the message alive.”

Every school in the district is mandated to have a committee in place to monitor the policies and procedures dictated by the new anti-bullying law. The high school’s committee, called the Peace Patrol, includes Principal Chris Jennings, Cindy Sherman, Dean of Discipline Ellen Roscitt, Technology Supervisor Joanne Decker and teachers Peg Sullivan, Keri Giannotti, Rachel Goldberg and McKensie May. 

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Says Principal Chris Jennings: “What this new law does is formalize many of the initiatives that we have practiced here in the high school for several years. In that sense, Bloomfield has been ahead of the curve because we have had programs that invite staff and students to participate in human rights activities.

"This is a very open and accepting community. We have always embraced diversity. This law encourages us to expand our climate and culture of tolerance so that our students not only feel safe when they come to school but also know that this is an academic setting that supports and promotes learning."

The activities for the week are as follows:

Monday October 3rd:  

All staff members at the high school will wear BULLY-FREE BHS bracelets, and second period teachers will distribute the bracelets to each student.  Students and staff will be encouraged to wear these bracelets every day as a show of solidarity.

Staff and students are also encouraged to create bulletin boards and initiate class conversation about the dangers of bullying and creating a safe and accepting atmosphere within our school.  An anti-bullying committee, also known as The Peace Patrol, will provide information as needed.

The Morning announcements during the “Week of Respect:” will include a quotation related to Respect and Anti-Bullying

Monday, October 3:  An information session relating to SUICIDE Prevention will be offered during the staff meeting after school.

Tuesday October 4: During all lunch periods, students and staff will have an opportunity to DISSOLVE THEIR STEREOTYPES in a pool of water. Bathing suits not required.

Wednesday October 5: During all lunch periods, students and staff will have an opportunity to place their THUMBPRINT on a mural, pledging that no one has a right to keep anyone UNDER THEIR THUMB.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT – Principal Chris Jennings will be speaking with parents about the New Jersey HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Law) and other anti-bullying initiatives at BHS.

Thursday October 6: A TREE OF HOPE will give students and staff an opportunity to create ‘hopeful’ aspirations of Tolerance and Acceptance.

Friday October 7:  Students will compete to creating a BHS Anti-Bullying T-Shirt.  Students will vote on the design that best exemplifies the stated mission of creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at BHS. Sales of the T-Shirts will eventually be donated to an organization dedicated to student safety and well-being.

 

Classroom talking points that will address specific differences between bullying and other types of aggressive behavior:

  • Negative behaviors intentionally targeted at a specific individual.  Key word:  INTENTION.
  • Repetitive nature of bullying (it isn’t usually a one-time event)
  • Inequity of power between students involved in bullying incidents.

 

The Bloomfield High School Peace Patrol:

Christopher Jennings (Principal), Cindy Sherman (Guidance), Ellen Roscitt (Dean of Discipline), Peg Sullivan , Keri Giannotti and Rachel Goldberg (History), McKensie  May (Science), Joanne Decker (Technology).


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