Sussex County Charter School students celebrate Week of Respect

SPARTA — Middle school students at the Sussex County Charter School for Technology celebrated the Week of Respect from Oct. 7 to 11 with lessons, activities and a school assembly on respect and overcoming challenges.

Each year, public schools throughout New Jersey celebrate the Week of Respect with activities that recognize the importance of character education. This year, students at the Sussex County Charter School for Technology discovered the topic of respect through many educational programs, including writing and reading poems, creating origami, designing a "Wall of Culture," and watching videos on anti-bullying.

Students also listened to Dr. Paul Wichansky, a motivational speaker who told his story of triumph over disability and addressed self-confidence in an entertaining way. Dr. Wichansky's presentation outlined strategies to avoid the temptations of peer pressure while re-channeling that energy into becoming a positive leader. He also discussed his own life experiences with humorous and insightful stories and a dramatic video about the realities of growing up with cerebral palsy and an associated hearing impairment. The assembly emphasized to students that they can accomplish what they set out to do if they have a "can do" attitude. Dr. Wichansky is represented by A Vision in Motion Speakers Bureau.

"We are a middle school with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and math in all of our classes, so it is very important that we reinforce how to create positive teams and a community where everyone has a sense of belonging," said Jill Eckel, Administrative Principal, Sussex County Charter School for Technology. "Dr. Wichansky's unforgettable presentation helped us kick off the Week of Respect and our new school year by fostering a culture where respect is celebrated and our students feel empowered to foster healthy friendships and positive attitudes."

The Sussex County Charter School for Technology is an innovative public school of choice that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. The school serves middle school students in the county and surrounding areas. The school's focus on science, technology, engineering and math promotes active learning and embraces multiple learning needs and styles in a challenging environment. The interactive learning community encourages every student to grow academically, socially, and emotionally into responsible individuals who are ready to make a successful transition into high school and beyond.

For more information, visit www.SussexCharter.org.