Fort Lee High School C.A.R.E.S

Friday marks the end of Fort Lee High School’s first ever “Week of Respect,” a state-mandated program under New Jersey’s new anti-bullying law in which public schools statewide are teaching harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) awareness and prevention.

The week is part of a larger program taking place throughout the month at Fort Lee High School called “Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success,” or C.A.R.E.S., during which each week in October is dedicated to a different theme related to fostering a sense of community and educating “the whole student,” according to Fort Lee School Counseling Service Director Jamie Ciofalo.

“It’s more than what we’re doing with the college planning,” Ciofalo said. “The academic part, the planning for college part and then the respect, school violence, drug and alcohol awareness, it all comes together. It’s really Fort Lee High School being a community that cares. And the acronym C.A.R.E.S. really fits it aptly.”

Ciofalo added that the month of programs is “more than just academics, but also social skills.”

Below is a week-by-week look at Fort Lee High School C.A.R.E.S.:

Week of Respect (Oct. 3-7)

This week included activities celebrating the diversity of the student body and promoting the unity of the school community. Awareness of the potentially devastating effects of put downs and ethnic, homophobic, racist and sexist remarks was a major focus.

The Peer Outreach Service Team (POST) also led discussions during classes about creating a respectful community.

“[POST] is a group of students I’m fortunate to be the sponsor of,” said school psychologist Reina Sandouk. “They go through a two-week training in the summer. They learn all kinds of active listening and peer mediation and how to really be empathic, emotionally aware members of the school community. They’re really just the most friendly and emotionally aware kids I’ve ever met.”

Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 11-14)

Possible events—the specifics were still being planned when Ciofalo and Sandouk sat down with Patch—include having students crawl through a fire department-provided “smoke house” to simulate escaping from a burning house or building and students wearing fire hats to raise awareness about fire prevention.

“Fire prevention—even at this age—is really important,” Ciofalo said. “Everyone connects that with the grammar schools, but we just had a fatal fire here in town, and it can happen to anyone at any age. So that’s still an important component of K-12 education. You just adapt it to the appropriate grade level.”

School Violence Awareness Week (Oct. 17-21)

Events tentatively include Acting students putting on performances about the impact of harassment, intimidation and bullying, promotion of a “bully box” or hotline allowing students to report HIB anonymously and POST students discussing the “critical role of bystanders” and strategies for resolving conflict. The POST students will also begin providing year-round peer-mediation for students in conflict.

Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 24-28)

Physical Education and Health classes will tackle the tough issue of drugs and alcohol and making healthy choices when it comes to relaxing.

“When they go through red ribbon week and learn about drugs and alcohol, it’s not uncommon for kids to come forward and say, ‘I’m concerned about a friend,’” Ciofalo said, adding that the purpose of all of the programs throughout the month is to develop awareness of one type or another.

“When you have programs like this, it helps long-term because kids now have the information they need to either get assistance themselves or help a friend,” he said.

Sandouk added, “I think as students growing up, it’s not always the case that they’re going to know who to go to when they have a question or even how to ask the right question. So to make that more accessible—to have someone who you know is looking out for you—is a huge step in prevention. It’s a huge step in resiliency. Having that person that’s got your back makes you feel stable; makes you feel comfortable and able to learn.”

Ciofalo said the entire Fort Lee High School C.A.R.E.S. program, which continues throughout the month with themes determined by the state Department of Education, is an important component of what the high school’s guidance department is trying to accomplish this year.

“’Week of Respect’ ties into being a peer tutor, ties into preparing yourself better for college because now you’re doing community service and you’re giving back to others, and it’s making that other kid feel connected,” Ciofalo said. “It just all ties into the high school as a community.”

Patch will take a closer look at the Fort Lee High School Guidance Department’s new, innovative approach and restructuring of guidance counselor assignments to maximize student/counselor contact time, as well as the department’s new “Postsecondary Planning Guide” and postsecondary planning curriculum for grades 6-12, in a subsequent article.