Violence prevention
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
10/17/2009

Students in the Cherry Hill Public School District will participate in the annual “School Violence Awareness Week,” a state-designed program to help educate New Jersey children about the dangers of school violence and the effect it can have on their classmates.

Created in 2001, the state Department of Education requires all schools in the state to designate the third week of October “School Violence Awareness Week,” which districts must observe by creating activities to prevent school violence.

According to state representatives, it’s a week where school districts can organize character education activities that endorse respect, responsibility and tolerance. Age appropriate discussions on conflict resolution, issues on student diversity and tolerance led by student leaders and administration are also encouraged.

Local law enforcement officials are also encouraged to take part in the week and participate in the organized activities.

Every year the school district hosts a plethora of activities for students, teachers, and parents for “School Violence Awareness Week,” said Susan Bastnagel, public information officer for Cherry Hill Schools.

The district reaches out to local law enforcement officials each year to help put on programming during the week, she said, to help lead student discussions about bullying and different types of conflicts they can experience in a school setting. Bullying isn’t just limited to the hallways, she said, as officers also educate children on the dangers of cyber bullying.

Students throughout the district also create posters, placards and bumper stickers that promote good character, anti-bullying and mutual respect to decorate their school hallways.

All of the elementary schools will be hosting an assembly entitled, “Count on Me,” which features a live- action, cartoon and musical video that addresses what it means to be a responsible young student. It follows a life in the day of an irresponsible fifth grade student, she said.

Positive reinforcement programs are instilled during the week as well, Bastnagel said. Students who exhibit good character receive recognition for their behavior from their teachers.

Each year, Bastnagel said, the school district also pairs its violence awareness week with the Red Ribbon Week, one of the oldest anti-drug programs in the nation. The national program serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to help educate students about drug prevention and drug-free lives.

Of course, each year the district partners with the Cherry Hill Alliance on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to conduct Red Ribbon Week activities during the month of October,” she said. “These activities include assemblies, a Red Ribbon Skating party for sixth graders and a Red Ribbon Dance for seventh and eighth graders. Our PTAs also partner with the schools to conduct Red Ribbon activities.”

For more information, please visit the school district’s Web site at cherryhill.k12.nj.us.