Mendham students give back to community.

What do crazy socks, solving silly riddles and dressing up from your favorite decade have to do with character education? These were a few of the tools Mendham Township Middle School guidance counselor, Allie Perotta used to help raise student awareness about the importance of respect, tolerance, kindness and a drug free lifestyle during the month of October.

An important part of the Mendham Township Middle School’s mission is to teach students the importance of building strong communities. Throughout the year, students participate in activities that give back to their community and help those in need. The school district has many long standing relationships with local organizations that work with staff and students to help educate them on the needs facing people in and around our community and the ways they can help. While students participate in character education programs, and lessons throughout the year, in October there is an increased focus on the impact of destructive behaviors and the role individuals have in creating a safe and healthy community.

During the first week in October, Mendham Township Middle School observed New Jersey’s designated Week of Respect, an initiative that focuses on the prevention of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB). Throughout the week students participated in school wide activities focused on showing kindness and respect to all members of the school community, including awards for students caught doing random acts of respect and a “mix-it up lunch”, where students were randomly assigned to lunch tables and had to work together as a team to complete a puzzle challenge. 5th and 6th grade classes were visited by a representative from the Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center in Morristown, and learned about the important services the center provides. Students engaged in thoughtful discussions about the people the center serves, and were educated on how community members can support the center and its mission.The week concluded with a performance about self-respect by the Fairleigh Dickinson University Youth Theatre Project.

During Violence Awareness week (October 15-19), students, faculty and parents attended assemblies presented by the Mendham Township Police Department. Students in the 7th grade participated in a workshop centered on healthy relationships and dating, facilitated by community outreach educators from Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Inc. in Morristown. Through discussion and group activities, students learned about the importance of healthy relationships and how to recognize and respond to unhealthy relationships they or their peers may be involved in. JBWS also made presentations to all 8th grade social studies classes about Technology and Boundaries.

The last week in October found the MTMS community taking a stand against drugs with participation in the Red Ribbon campaign sponsored by National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. Each day, staff and students reaffirmed their commitment to live a drug free life by participating in various spirit activities, which included dress up days, grade level competitions and signing a drug free pledge and banner.

After a month of awareness activities and lessons incorporating the themes of kindness, respect, tolerance and responsibility, November brought MTMS students the opportunity to act on what they have learned and give back to the community. The Student Council partnered with the West Morris Junior Woman's Club to gather Thanksgiving food items for the Chester Food Pantry. Members of the MTMS school community generously donated over 1,200 food items, helping to feed 165 families. The school was also able to donate 42 frozen turkeys to Family Intervention Services in Morristown. Between Nov. 1 and the 19th, students brought in donated items which were collected and counted by Student Council representatives. Food was them collected by HSA volunteers and delivered to the various agencies and organizations.