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MAKE YOUR MONTH MEANINGFUL GETTING TO THE ISSUES AND ENCOURAGING HEALTHY CHOICES

םכל הזה שדוחה JKHA and RKYHS take pride in getting to the issues and developing a direct and honest dialogue about issues affecting students in

society. Throughout the year students participated in programs that addressed several timely and important topics.

CREATING SMART DIGITAL CITIZENS
As part of an ongoing effort to guide students to
JKHA launched a school-wide theme for the year םכל הזה שדוחה - Make YOUR be responsible in the digital world, Middle School
Month Meaningful with the goal to bring the lessons and teachings of the Torah to and RKYHS students participated in workshops on
life each month, helping students gain a deeper love and understanding of their Jewish being smart digital citizens. Led by a detective from
values, and reinforcing their relevance and significance in their daily lives. Each Hebrew the Millburn Police Department and members of the
month was associated with a particular value or lesson and was led by a different guidance department, the presentations focused on
grade at JKHA. Each month’s theme was the focus of related activities and programs, how to appropriately use the internet and social media, how to make good decisions on what to post
and a different tzedakah was chosen each month that related to the theme. The KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE and how to text in a safe and appropriate manner. The program helped students become aware of the
themes for the year were: Commitment, Unity, Freedom, Gratitude, Personal Pre-K through fourth grades took part in the Magen Yeladim Safety Kid permanency of the information they post. The detective also presented to parents on ways that they can
Growth, Chesed, Eretz Yisrael, Simcha, and the Environment. ensure that their children are using technology in a safe and healthy manner.
Program, a comprehensive school program led by Project S.A.R.A.H,
a division of JFS - Clifton/Passaic, that taught children in a fun, RKYHS students also had the opportunity to learn about healthy screen usage as part of the SEED
non-threatening way how to keep themselves safe. The three-part speaker program that featured Adam Alter, New York Times best-selling author and Associate
program included a teacher, parent, and child component. Students Professor of Marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business. Mr. Alter
learned about the “ABCD’S” of safety including safely asking for help, detailed the negative impact that social media can have on our
the buddy system, checking with a trusted adult, and ensuring their personal satisfaction, and the effects of excessive screen time
personal space and privacy isn’t violated. on our creativity, attention spans, and social interaction. He
offered practical tips on how students can be more mindful of
their screen consumption.
ADDRESSING THE ISSUES IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
HELPING STUDENTS MAKE GOOD CHOICES
Eleventh and twelfth graders participated in an interactive program
with Project S.A.R.A.H. (Stop Abusive Relationships at Home), as part A stand-out from the year’s SEED speaker pro-
of the weekly SEED speaker program. The open and honest sessions, gram at RKYHS featured speakers from Project
targeted to the Orthodox community, helped students understand the P.R.I.D.E (Promoting Responsibility in Drug Ed-
definitions of healthy relationships and alert them to signs of sexual ucation). Project P.R.I.D.E is a community out-
For the month of Cheshvan’s theme of chesed led by Early Childhood, The third graders distributed and presented posters they made on the tefillot for harassment and sexual aggression. reach program of the New Jersey Department of
students were challenged to perform acts of kindness at home and in Medinat Yisrael and chayalei tzahal to all the Lower School classrooms as part of Corrections that spreads awareness of the prison
school, and school-wide chesed opportunities included a food drive the month of Iyar’s theme of Eretz Yisrael. As the Class of 2018 approached their next chapter, their Senior system to High Schools, promotes responsible
for JRA and filling a communal bucket of kindness, representing each Sessions programs helped prepare them for life post-high school. citizenship, and reduces the appeal of drug and
wonderful act performed by the students. Hannah Stafford, a representative from the Family Service League of alcohol use. Prison inmates, who volunteer with

Essex County, spoke to the seniors about sexual violence on college the program, shared their experiences and the
campuses, what to be aware of, and how to seek help. Shalom Task decisions they made that led them to their cur-
Force, an organization that deals with domestic violence situations, pre- rent situations, and reinforced the importance of
sented to the students about the warning signs of domestic violence, making smart choices and surrounding yourself
what to look out for, what to do if you find yourself in a compromising with a positive, supportive environment.
situation, and how to seek help for yourself or others.
The Livingston Police Department joined the
eighth grade as part of the LEAD (Law Enforce-
ment Against Drugs) program. The eight-session program provided information about alcohol, ciga-
rette, and substance abuse, and helped guide the students’ ability to make healthy decisions, and combat
peer pressure in a variety of settings.

The sixth grade took part in Project Empower, an anti-bullying program. Led by the JKHA guidance team,
The theme for Adar was Simcha - Happiness, led by the Sixth For the month of Shevat, JKHA classrooms were busy with programs and activities various programs throughout the year reinforced the importance of positive social interactions and a
Grade and the tzedakah for the month went to Camp Simcha. To for the theme of the environment and the middah of the month of “derech eretz for positive school environment. It highlighted the shared responsibility that all witnesses to bullying have
kick off rosh chodesh Adar, each Middle School grade was paired up our surroundings.” In addition to Tu B’Shvat activities, plans for the month included to respond and try to improve the situation. A separate program on the topic was also held for parents.
with an Early Childhood or Lower School class to experience a learning a student-driven focus on recycling, working to waste less resources, and collecting Each week in Middle School “Upstanders of the Week” were nominated for students that demonstrated
opportunity with a learning buddy, as well as to enjoy simcha dancing. money to purchase trees from JNF, the month’s tzedakah. First grade created a tree stellar middot and kindness, choosing to“stand up” rather than “stand by” to help support their peers.
in the atrium that “bloomed” with leaves for every dollar that was brought in.
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