Challenge Day participants sitting in a double circle in the BHS gym.

Barnegat Township, NJ – Barnegat High School (BHS) students learned how to develop better,

more meaningful connections with their peers and community through powerful, interactive

exercises during Challenge Day held on Jan. 13. Sixty students participated in the third annual

event, increasing their self-esteem and creating a more positive school culture.

The students, along with Barnegat Township School District (BTSD) staff, BHS’s School Resource

Officer, other local law enforcement, and a volunteer from the Ocean County Prosecutor's

Office, gathered for a full day of large group exercises and small group discussions to address

teasing, violence and different forms of oppression. Challenge Day also focused on issues such

as racism, harassment, conflict management, suicide, peer pressure, alcohol and drugs.

Challenge Day uses energetic, interactive activities to give teens the proper tools to reduce

separation and encourage them to be the change needed to ensure they live, study and work in

an encouraging environment filled with acceptance, love and respect. Barnegat’s Challenge Day

was sponsored by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, and organized by BHS Assistant

Principal Tracee DuBeck, BTSD Counselor Kim Burke, and BHS Counselor Lindsey Wasiak.

"Challenge Day is incredibly important and has a profound positive impact on our students,”

said BTSD Superintendent Dr. Brian Latwis. “We are thankful to the Prosecutor’s Office for

making this event possible, and I’m proud of our students for their participation and dedication

to improving themselves and our school community.”

Founded in 1987, The Challenge Day program has touched the lives of more than a million

teens and adults nationwide. Challenge Days are led by the non-profit's highly trained

facilitators who teach participants to notice their surroundings, understand their emotions, and

act with compassion and intention. The program activities are centered on five tested

competency areas: self-management, social awareness, self-awareness, relationship skills and

responsible decision-making.

Following the Challenge Day activities, students gathered in the auditorium, where they were

able to connect with school counselors and spend time with Jager, one of the BHS therapy

dogs.

To learn more about the Barnegat Township School District, visit

https://www.barnegatschools.com.