Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Week of Respect

State of New Jersey blue silhouette with New Jersey goes Gold and Blue in gold and blue lettering and a gold heart after the word goes

Building a Culture of Respect in Every School, Every Day

The Week of Respect is observed annually in New Jersey during the week beginning with the first Monday in October, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:37-29. During this week, all public school districts are required to provide age-appropriate instruction and activities focused on the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

Explore this page for implementation guidance, downloadable materials, and resources to support Week of Respect and foster a positive school climate year-round.

Week of Respect

The Week of Respect is observed annually in New Jersey during the week beginning with the first Monday in October, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:37-29.

During this week, all public school districts are required to provide age- appropriate instruction and activities focused on the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

This observance provides schools with a meaningful opportunity to strengthen school climate by reinforcing positive behaviors, empathy, and responsible decision-making. These efforts support character education and help students develop the skills needed to contribute to safe and supportive learning environments. Instruction and activities should be aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and designed to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and valued.

The Week of Respect also aligns with National Bullying Prevention Month, recognized each October, allowing New Jersey schools to participate in national efforts that highlight the importance of preventing bullying, promoting respect and inclusion, and supporting student well-being.

While approved private schools for students with disabilities (APSSDs) are not required to observe the Week of Respect, they are encouraged to participate in ways that support their school communities.

Requirements Under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR)

New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR) establishes a framework for preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) in schools. For additional information regarding HIB requirements, policies, and implementation, please visit the NJDOE Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) webpage.

Week of Respect Requirements (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-29)

During the Week of Respect, school districts are required to:

  • Provide age-appropriate instruction focused on the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14.
  • Emphasize character education grounded in core ethical values such as  respect, responsibility, and citizenship, and support positive relationships, ethical decision-,making, and opportunities for students to demonstrate these values.
  • Ensure that activities are developmentally appropriate and meaningful for students across grade levels.

While Week of Respect provides a focused opportunity to highlight HIB prevention, the ABR requires school districts to maintain these efforts year round. Together, these requirements foster school environments in which students feel valued, protected, and empowered to contribute positively to their communities.

NJ Goes Gold and Blue: Join the Movement

NJ Goes Gold and Blue is a statewide movement uniting New Jersey schools in a shared commitment to preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

During the Week of Respect and beyond, the campaign supports schools in fostering cultures of respect, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and supported.

Why Participate?

NJ Goes Gold and Blue creates a unified, statewide effort that:

  • Connects schools and districts across New Jersey
  • Encourages coordinated, statewide action to prevent HIB
  • Elevates student voice and school climate efforts
  • Strengthens cultures of respect, inclusion, and belonging
  • Sustains impact beyond the Week of Respect

Take the NJ Goes Gold and Blue Pledge

Take the NJ Goes Gold and Blue pledge and join schools across New Jersey in taking action during the Week of Respect.

By taking the pledge, your school agrees to:

  • Wear gold or blue on Friday, October 9, 2026, to show unity and support
  • Promote respect and inclusion throughout the school community
  • Engage students, staff, and families in meaningful activities
  • Take a visible stand against harassment, intimidation, and bullying by implementing actions such as:
    • Delivering school-wide announcements promoting respect
    • Implementing classroom lessons on HIB prevention
    • Hosting assemblies or school-wide events
    • Recognizing acts of kindness and inclusion
    • Conducting student-led activities or campaigns
    • Engaging families and community partners
    • Sharing participation highlights (photos, stories, etc.) using #NJGoesGoldandBlue

Be Recognized

Participating schools may be highlighted on the NJDOE social media accounts and Interactive Map, showcasing efforts to promote respect and positive school climate across the State.

Morning Announcements

Week of Respect Morning Announcements

Elementary Posters

Middle/High School Posters

Banners

Banner promoting the New Jersey Goes Gold & Blue initiative, featuring a New Jersey outline logo, the message “Our school is proud to participate in New Jersey Goes Gold & Blue,” the slogan “Show respect. It starts with you.”, and the New Jersey Department of Education seal on a blue and gold wave background.

School Banner 1

Banner for the New Jersey Goes Gold & Blue Week of Respect, featuring blue and gold graphics, a New Jersey outline, the message “Our school is proud to participate in New Jersey Goes Gold & Blue,” and the slogan “Show Respect. It Starts With You.” alongside the New Jersey Department of Education seal.

School Banner 2

School Community Engagement 

During the Week of Respect, schools are encouraged to engage students, families, staff, and community partners in meaningful activities that promote positive behaviors. Intentional engagement helps reinforce respectful interactions, strengthen school climate, and support students in developing the skills needed to contribute to safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments. Strong school climate efforts are most effective when they extend beyond the classroom and actively engage the broader school community. School community engagement plays a critical role in reinforcing the values of respect, inclusion, and the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

Engage Your School Community During the Week of Respect and Beyond 
Schools may consider the following approaches to strengthen engagement: 

Family Engagement
  • Share Week of Respect information with families through newsletters, websites, and social media.
  • Encourage conversations at home about respect, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
  • Provide conversation prompts and take-home reflection activities to support discussion.
Use NJDOE Family Engagement webpage to access resources that support effective strategies for engaging parents and families. 
Student Engagement
  • Empower students to lead Week of Respect through ambassador programs, assemblies, awareness activities, or school-wide campaigns that promote respect and inclusion.
  • Utilize Week of Respect Morning Announcement Resource to deliver daily student-led messages that highlight Week of Respect themes.
  • Display the Week of Respect Poster Resource in common areas and classrooms to promote awareness and school-wide engagement.
  • Incorporate structured student voice opportunities, such as class discussions, reflection journals, or surveys related to school climate and belonging.
  • Encourage students to recognize and celebrate acts of kindness and inclusion through shout-outs, recognition boards, or peer acknowledgment.

Use the NJDOE Social and Emotional Learning webpage to access modules and lesson resources that strengthen student SEL skills, promote positive school climates, and reduce behaviors such as bullying.
Staff Engagement
  • Model respectful behavior in daily interactions with students and colleagues.
  • Incorporate SEL and character education into instruction.
  • Use brief, intentional practices such as morning check-ins and closing reflections to reinforce positive behaviors.

The NJDOE School Climate and Culture webpage includes the NJ School Climate Improvement Survey (NJSCI) and platform to help schools assess school climate and inform staff practices that promote safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments. 
Community Engagement
  • Partner with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders to support Week of Respect activities through presentations, shared resources, or collaborative initiatives.
  • Invite guest speakers (e.g., community members, alumni, or local leaders) to discuss respect, inclusion, and responsible decision-making.
  • Coordinate service-learning or community service projects that allow students to demonstrate respect and contribute positively to their community.
  • Share Week of Respect messaging with community stakeholders through flyers, social media, and local communications to reinforce a consistent message across settings.

Use NJDOE Family Engagement resources to support communication with community stakeholders and align messaging with school climate and HIB prevention efforts.

Extending Engagement Beyond the Week of Respect 
While the Week of Respect provides a focused opportunity for outreach, meaningful engagement should be sustained throughout the school year. Ongoing collaboration with families and community partners supports the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR) and contributes to a positive and inclusive school climate.

Additional Resources
Schools may find it helpful to explore the following NJDOE and related resources to support family and community engagement.

Explore resources to support Week of Respect planning, implementation, and year-round efforts to promote safe, supportive, and inclusive school communities.

New Jersey Department of Education Resources

Week of Respect Planning and Classroom Activities

  • Character.org: Provides a framework to support character education and positive school culture through embedded core values.
  • Sandy Hook Promise: Provides program and resources to support school safety, student connection, and violence prevention.
  • PACER-Educators: Provides free curriculum and activities to support bullying prevention instruction and student engagement. 
  • StopBullying.gov-Prevention at School: Provides student activities, staff training and implementation of effective policies and practices for schools to prevent bullying. 
  • Committee for Children: Provides programs and resources to build student’s social-emotional skills and support positive school environments.
  • Random Acts of Kindness Foundation-For Educators: Free Pre-K to 12 SEL curriculum and resources to promote kindness, empathy and positive school climates.

Bullying Prevention & HIB Resources

School Climate Improvement

Social-Emotional Learning & Student Wellness

Family & Caregiver Resources

Week of Respect October 5-9, 2026

NJ Goes Gold and Blue Recognition Map

  • View the number of participating schools by county and learn how schools are engaging in the Week of Respect.

    map of New Jersey with 21 counties labeled

  • Download a list of participating schools and view the Week of Respect activities each school selected through the NJ Goes Gold and Blue Pledge.

Contact

  • For questions regarding Week of Respect, contact the School Climate State Coordinator in the Office of Student Support Services at hib@doe.nj.gov