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.