Mr. Daniels, Superintendent of Schools, has a message for our families in his welcome back to school video. It’s a great way to start the new school year with some positivity and inspiration! Check it out and get ready for an exciting year ahead.

Mrs. Perrone and Mrs. Ruff’s second-grade class at Walter C. Black Elementary School are hitting the year strong with establishing a Class Mission Statement. This is going to be a great year!

Grace N. Rogers Elementary School Hero Training Has Begun!

Melvin H. Kreps Middle School staff and students are back into full swing with the new school year. Inspirational reminders and colorful bulletin boards helped brighten up the hallways for the start of the year.

On Friday, September 13, MHK's anti-bullying specialists Mr. Basmagy and Mr. Perez held an assembly for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. They reviewed NJ’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights and the Harassment Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) policy. They also explained how students should address tough situations if other students make fun of them or their friends. Mr. Perez and Mr. Basmagy gave suggestions of how students can be an upstander and reminded students about respectful interactions with others in person and online.

Incredible work from everyone to help make Hightstown High School's Back-to-School Night a success! Thank you to all of the parents/guardians for attending.

Tenth-graders exploring the themes of “The Necklace”.

Representing the Hightstown High School Football Team at the National Football Foundation Delaware Valley Dinner to celebrate those players chosen to lead their teams are the teams captains.

Established in 1962, the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation is intimately involved in amateur football in the Central New Jersey area. Go Hightstown Rams!

As we observe National Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, we recognize the critical need to address the challenges of suicidal ideation among our youth. The impact of this issue extends throughout our community, affecting us all.

The first step toward intervention and support is awareness of suicidal warning signs, which include the following changes:

• Behavioral: Withdrawing from friends and activities, giving away personal belongings, self-destructive behaviors, increased substance use, sudden mood improvement after depression.
• Verbal: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden. Talking about death, dying, or wanting to die, making statements like "I can't take it anymore" or "I wish I weren't here," mentioning specific plans or methods for suicide.
• Emotional: Drastic and sudden mood swings, overwhelming sadness, despair, emptiness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, intense irritability or anger.
• Situational: Recent loss of a loved one, breakup, significant life changes, bullying or harassment, academic or work-related stress, financial difficulties, or other significant personal crises.
• Physical: Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping), changes in appetite or weight loss/gain, decreased personal hygiene and self-care.
• Social: Increasing social isolation and withdrawal from relationships, losing interest in social interactions or activities, feeling disconnected from friends, family, and self.
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, preoccupation with death, dying, or the afterlife, intense guilt or shame.

When you notice these warning signs, you should:

• Initiate a conversation about suicide.
• Provide active listening and non-judgmental support.
• Encourage professional help through therapists, counselors, and helplines.
• Involve trusted adults, such as parents/guardians, coaches, teachers, and mentors.
• Create a safety plan in collaboration with the individual.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, please seek help with these resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A nationwide lifeline network operating 24/7 to provide free and confidential crisis services. Visit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers support groups and chapters throughout the United States. Visit NAMI

For those in need of professional support, consider contacting Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential service provided by [DISTRICT NAME]. They can help you find a mental health or substance use provider.

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
• Visit www.caresolace.com/ewrsd and either search on your own or click "Book Appointment" for assistance via video chat, email, or phone.
  

Unified — and with support and compassion — we can make a difference in our community's well-being. Let us stand together to raise awareness, provide assistance, and foster hope for a brighter future.

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