Hanover Park Regional Named NJ's District of Character

The Hanover Park Regional High School District was named the 2013 New Jersey District of Character by the state Alliance for Social, Emotional and Character Development (NJASECD).

NJASECD chooses one school district from throughout New Jersey each year as an example for other districts in character education.

This year they received 20 applications, and Hanover Park Regional was selected based on its "high levels of implementation of the Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education," according to Director of Curriculum Maria Carrell.

The eleven principles were developed by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington, DC, which will now consider Hanover Park as a national finalist in their National Schools of Character program. Finalists will be announced on March 1.

Superintendent Carol Grossi said, "To achieve this recognition is a rarity for a High School; to receive it for a District is almost unheard of. This is a well deserved recognition for our District schools-Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School."

Grossi said the school district has several programs and courses to enhance character education, including a freshman seminar required for all incoming freshmen. The seminar includes readings, debates and personal narratives to develop the district's core values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

The district also developed a Genocide Studies course this year which explores genocide, and recently formed a partnership with Manasquan High School to help in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.

Each school also has school clubs to promote equality and respect, including a Gay-Straight Alliance, End Racism and Sexism Everywhere, a Random Acts of Kindness program and other programs promoting character in everything from sportsmanship to environmental awareness.

Additionally, Grossi said, "students and staff continue to fund raise for  Breast Cancer Awareness; Soup Kitchen of Morristown; Hunger Walks; Goryeb Children's Hospital, and many more worthwhile organizations."

The effect of these and other programs, Grossi said, is that students learn good citizenship while fostering "a caring school community."

"I am proud of the efforts of the Board of Education, administration, staff, students and parents as we continue to achieve recognition in the areas of academics, athletics, and extra/co-curricular activities," Grossi said.