Pose for your picture to show your respect.
That was the theme on Monday, October 7, when Hillside Intermediate School students and staff posed in a photo booth that was set up in the school’s cafeteria.
The pictures were photographed to celebrate the Week of Respect that the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, as well as all public schools in New Jersey, have recognized from Monday, October 7, through Friday, October 11.
The Week of Respect is in accordance with the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, a New Jersey law that was signed into effect in 2011 to combat bullying in public schools.
The law requires that New Jersey public schools acknowledge the importance of social and emotional learning while emphasizing age-appropriate instruction that will focus on preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).
Hillside participated in this crucial week by creating the photo booth while also celebrating spirit days.
Students and staff wore their favorite shade of blue on Monday, October 7, on World Day of Bully Prevention. The following day, October 8, was Respect for Culture and students and staff put on clothing to represent their heritage and respect one another’s culture. United as a Team was the theme on Wednesday, October 9, when favorite sports team apparel was worn. Yellow was the color to wear on October 10 for Let Respect Shine and Pajama Day was the wardrobe on the final day on Friday. Bedtime clothing expresses the support to put harassment, intimidation and bullying to bed.
Hillside School Counselors, Lindsay Blake and Amie Thomas, explained the photo booth idea on October 7.
"The Week of Respect is a reminder to be an upstander and to be kind. Together we can make our school a safe and respectful learning environment. The photo booth is a way to foster excitement and awareness toward the important of anti-bullying, and being respectful towards self and others."