Kind, friendly, respectful and warm-hearted.
Those were the tones that supported the themes when students of the HOPE Squad delivered the morning announcements daily during the Week of Respect at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District as well as all public schools in New Jersey have recognized the Week of Respect 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).
Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s mission to spread kindness during the Week of Respect was the morning deliveries produced by the students who make up the HOPE Squad. The HOPE Squad was launched last school year and it offers a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program.
The caring students who are members of the HOPE Squad are guided by a dedicated group of high school staff members—-Lauren Amisial,, Lori Kendis, Evan Rosenberg and Shannon Koppa.
The week was launched early Monday morning, October 7, when Sarina Dalal,and Wesley Lin, the Co-Presidents of the HOPE Squad, announced that it was the first day of the Week of Respect and the Week of Respect Challenge this day was “Say hello to someone you have never met and ask them what their name is.” And the quote to think about was “To change a life, you don't need to do anything grand. Sometimes all you have to do is just say, "Hello”.
On Tuesday, October 8, John Csik, a member of the HOPE Squad, shared with the high school’s students and staff that the challenge that day was “ Ask someone who is sitting alone or someone who is new to the school to sit with you at Unit Lunch.” And the quote to think about was “Never underestimate the empowering effect of human connection. All you need is that one person, who understands you completely, believes in you and makes you feel loved for what you are, to enable you – to unfold the miraculous YOU.”---Drishti Bablani, philanthropist, author, and banking and IT Specialist
HOPE Squad member Giselle Saravia greeted the high school that morning of Wednesday, October 9 and presented the challenge “Do a good deed for someone.” And the quote to think about was “Your good deeds might seem invisible, but they leave a trail that is imprinted on the hearts of others.”
Brianne-Naomi Ramrattan from HOPE Squad produced the announcement on Thursday, October 10, and the challenge that was delivered was “Give someone a genuine compliment.” And the quote to think about was "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia, author and motivational speaker
The Week of Respect was capped on Friday, October 11, when HOPE Squad student Ann Roy gave the challenge “Show gratitude - write an appreciation note to someone in your life. It could be a friend, a family member, a teacher, or other staff members.” And a quote to think about
“Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook and broadens our perspective.” ― Germany Kent, broadcast journalist, television personality, actor, businesswoman, producer, philanthropist,