By Patricia Keller
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ The West Milford Township Public School District in coordination with the West Milford Community Against Substance Abuse (C.A.S.A.) will host the “1st Annual Substance Awareness and Family Empowerment Night” (S.A.F.E.) event from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, at Macopin Middle School. The event is geared to families and students in grades 5-8, and will feature a presentation by keynote speaker Matt Bellace.
Families and students must pre-register for the event by Friday, Oct. 27, via forms that were sent home with students this past week. The forms are also available on the district’s website, www.wmtps.org. The school is located at 70 Highlander Drive.
There will be hands-on activities aimed at strengthening positive community engagement, highlights detailing many district and community organizations dedicated to positive youth interactions and healthy resources, information on the process and philosophy on building good citizenship and character to empower students to make good choices in high-risk situations, support for “at home” dialogue between parent and child in regard to substance awareness and family empowerment, and information about new initiatives available throughout our district and community.
Participants will be treated to a complimentary dinner of sandwiches and wraps and will be eligible to enter the district’s S.A.F.E. night end-of-evening raffle, featuring a variety of prizes and gift certificates. Elementary students/families in grades 5/6 should return registration forms to their elementary school’s Main Office, and Macopin students/families (grades 7/8) should return registration forms to the Assistant Principal (AP’s) Office.
The schedule:5 - 6 p.m: Event registration/check-in, Community Exhibits, & Raffle Entry (pre-registered students only)
Registration check in and opportunity to visit an informational showcase highlighting many district and community organizations dedicated to positive youth interactions and healthy resources. (A complete list of exhibits will be made available prior to the event.)
Parent & Student schedules for the evening provided at registration/check-in.
Community Raffle Drawing Entry: Pre-registered students in attendance may enter into the district raffle to win certificates and prizes for various activities & events throughout the community including: free weeks to summer camp, sports camp, recreation registrations, music lessons, karate classes, ski lift tickets, and many more.
6-7:45 p.m.: Macopin Cafeteria, Classrooms, Auditorium (varies per schedule provided at check-in)
Complimentary dinner of sandwiches and wraps (pre-registered guests only).
(During dinner) informational session presented by West Milford Schools and C.A.S.A. devoted to the process and philosophy of building good citizenship and character that have been determined to empower students to make good choices in high-risk situations.
Families will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on classroom experiences designed to support “at home” dialogue between parent and child in regard to substance awareness and family empowerment.
7:45 - 8:30 p.m: Macopin Auditorium
Attendees gather together to celebrate the evening’s accomplishments and take a look at some great new initiatives available throughout the district and community.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Matt Bellace will present “Getting High Naturally: A positive, science-based and seriously entertaining approach to substance abuse prevention”.
Community Raffle Drawing