WEST ORANGE, NJ - During the Week of Respect in the West Orange School district, the "If It's Mean, Intervene" campaign has been launched, encouraging students to not only speak up for themselves but others that are bullied.
“The West Orange school district will be participating in STOMP Out Bullying which focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyber-bullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country,” said Cheryl Butler, director of Student Personnel Services/Guidance of the West Orange School District. “It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns.”
Each school has planned daily activities to reinforce respect, whether it's for yourself, one another, property, family, rules, and the world around them. Inspiring quotes, comments, artwork, and pledges will be read over loudspeakers, shared in assemblies and posted around the schools.
The New Jersey State Department of Education website requires that:
"Week of Respect – Additionally, the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122) requires that the week beginning with the first Monday in October (Oct. 7-11 in 2013) of each year be designated as a “Week of Respect” in New Jersey. School districts and charter schools (but not private schools for students with disabilities), in order to recognize the importance of character education, are required to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimation or bullying (HIB)."