Colts Neck High School was recently named a 2021 - 2022 Gold Star No Place For Hate® School by the Anti-Defamation League.

In order to achieve No Place for Hate status, schools first have to publicize and have students sign the No Place for Hate Pledge.  In addition, activities to promote an inclusive environment must be offered for students. Colts Neck High School’s activities include:

• Bias, Prejudice and Hate Crimes:  Students attended an assembly presented by Chief Investigator Dave D’Amico that discussed bias, hate crimes and prejudice where students were encouraged to be upstanders rather than bystanders.  Students then engaged in discussion during their Health classes to reflect on what they had learned.

• Freshman Circles: All freshman students participated in circles with counselors and peer leaders to discuss challenges, coping skills, conflict resolution, and respect. Students participated in three separate circle activities throughout the school year.

• Captain’s Leadership Meetings:  All coaches, the SECA, our SAC, and captains for each of the sports teams met to discuss being leaders in the school, not only for their teams but for the community at large. The expectation that they will uphold the qualities that demonstrate a culture of respect, including demonstrating upstander behavior, not participating in bullying, and treating their peers with respect was discussed.  Students then signed our Cougar Pledge (separate from the No Place for Hate pledge) and then turn-keyed the information and had their teams sign the pledge. All of the signed pledges were displayed on a wall outside of our gymnasium.  These meetings occurred during each sports season.

• Equity/School Climate Focus Groups- Focus groups with students were conducted from the student perspective on the ways that CNHS is succeeding in making all students feel like a part of the community and ways that we can improve. The feedback will be used to help drive the planning of activities for the rest of this year and for the upcoming school year.