Community Corner

Local, State Officials to Discuss Anti-Bullying Law

East Hanover School District to host Community Night of Respect.

The East Hanover Township School District will host a Community Night of Respect on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m., at at the East Hanover Middle School.

This Community Night of Respect is in observance of New Jersey’s Week of Respect. The new anti-bullying legislation designates the week beginning the first Monday in October of each year as a Week of Respect in New Jersey.

School districts are directed to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation or bullying. Throughout the school year, districts provide similar instruction in accordance with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Our Week of Respect and this Community Night of Respect marks our effort to raise awareness about bullying and school violence.

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It is meant to encourage community dialogue related to school safety, raise awareness regarding the law; and provide an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate our children’s efforts in reducing incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying in our schools. The Community Night of Respect is aimed at providing parents and guardians with helpful information about the law and how to help their children avoid and reduce incidents of bullying.

During the Community Night of Respect, while the parents, guardians, and other community members are listening to the speakers, students will be participating in rotating sessions focused on character education, respect, responsibility, being a good citizen, identifying and reporting bullying, conflict resolution and the like.

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Featured speakers will include:

  • New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow will speak on the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights.
  • Sen. Tony Bucco (R-25), a co-sponsor of the bill, will speak on the bill's importance and focus.
  • Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi will speak about cyber-bullying and cyber-safety.
  • Jacqueline Pitta, United States Department of Education, will speak of the department’s support and interest in efforts to rid schools of bullying and violence.
  • Dr. Joseph L. Ricca, superintendent of East Hanover Township Schools, will speak of the school’s overall efforts and the anti-bullying partnership between the East Hanover Township District Schools and CrimeStoppers.


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