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Congressman Chris Smith Visits Area School
Lawmaker Speaks Of Bullying, Character Education
By Lauren Puglisi
 | | --Photo By Lauren Puglisi Congressman Chris Smith visited Carl W. Goetz Middle School in Jackson to speak to a filled library of young students about the importance of character development and education last Tuesday morning. |
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JACKSON - Some of tomorrow's leaders from Carl W. Goetz Middle School in Jackson were given the privilege to listen to an assembly featuring Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) lasts Tuesday.
According to Adrienne Previtera, Character Education coordinator and an eighth grade teacher at the school, the reason for Smith's visit was to focus on the school's Character Education program. The program launched in 2000 when teacher Cindy Walsh devised a learning curriculum based on teaching character growth within her classroom.
"The program helps to mold well rounded people," Previtera said. "Rather than only taking part in the educational aspect of these students' lives, we also want to enforce the importance of treating people outside of this school, in the big world, how they deserve to be treated."
Mary Beth Beichert, also on eighth grade teacher and the school's contact with Congress, thought the best way to push the school's Character Education program would be to bring in a speaker that embodied the importance of each of the program's guidelines: respect, acceptance, citizenship, empathy, and responsibility.
"I contacted Representative Smith because he is a role model to a lot of these students," Beichert said. "By having him here to speak about our Character Education program, it will show the students that the things they are learning now will affect their future."
Smith spoke about the importance of respecting and empathizing those that are different or less fortunate than them.
"I encourage you to look for reasons to empathize. Bullying is a sad act that happens in schools across the world today," Smith said. "I am glad to be here and to see a school that has taken bullying so seriously. A lot of the people that are bullied today will blossom to make a lasting mark in the area. You must all realize how special each of you are."
Smith also commended the students for partaking in their school's African Library Project.
"I do a lot of traveling to Africa to help supply efforts towards the prevention of AIDS. By providing for them in any way that you can, especially with learning material, will help to show that each of you empathize for people that need help across the world."
After concluding his speech, the students were given the chance to ask the congressman questions regarding everything from the war in Iraq and environmental protection to Jackson's growing gypsy moth pesticide debate.
Dan Morelli, an eighth grader, said he thought having Smith at his school was great.
"He (Smith) helped to encourage the students here to respect our society. This program has really changed school bullying because we have learned that it is wrong to affect the character of others," Morelli said.
Eighth grader Rachel George also said that the school's program has helped students to understand that bullying isn't right.
"I think that there is a lot less bullying here. Every day, I see people that you would never think to be friends walking side by side in the hallways. People seem to be more open to making friends outside of their usual groups," George said.
Smith said he truly enjoys working with young students.
"It is good to see a school that is so involved, trying to make a difference. By teaching students the importance of not bullying, there will be less isolated people in the world. We live in a global village and we must remember that we are blessed in America. Students must know that empathizing for the poor begins at home but it does not stay at home," Smith said.
To prepare for Smith's visit, all of the students at Goetz partook in fundraisers, watched educational movie clips during their homerooms, collected books for the school's African Library Project and learned the importance of citizenship during their daily social studies classes.
Carol Lawrence, the school's service learning coordinator and a seventh grade teacher, said Smith's visit established the validity of the program, and helped recognize the hard work each the students have done for the past few years.
"Within the program, the students live by the character building factors from the RACER (Respect-Acceptance-Citizenship Empathy-Responsibility) acronym, where students not only learn but are encouraged to think of ways they can foster a sense of community awareness and compassion throughout Jackson," Lawrence said.
In the library, handmade posters from student projects hung on the walls as members of the school's chorus welcomed Smith.
Principal Dr. Faith Lessig said it was an honor to have the congressman in Jackson, let alone at Goetz Middle School's library.
"The kids were so excited to be recognized for everything that they have learned within this program. Congressman Smith is such an important person that it is good for the students to see that he lives by the ideal of the Character Education program," Lessig said.
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