Kindness Carnival in Fourth Year

CREST HAVEN – Federal statistics show that one in four students across the country say they have been bullied at school. While efforts to eliminate this behavior have helped to decrease its prevalence, bullying is still a problem. 
Nestled in the county complex at Crest Haven, the Cape May County Special Services School District had its fourth Kindness Carnival May 12. The district encompasses three separate schools that share a set of buildings and a special mission to provide an education for students who need more than the local school systems can provide.
The carnival is organized around two of the district schools that cater to students with special needs, Ocean Academy and the Cape May County High School. Programs for the combined 215 students run from pre-K through 12 plus.
Students participate in anti-bullying programs throughout the school year, but the effort culminates in the annual carnival each May. Games, face painting, and activities of all sorts are arranged around tables in the school gymnasium.
Groups of age-similar classes are brought down to the carnival at prearranged times to tour the tables manned by school staff with the help of other students. Posters done by each class, stressing the value of kindness over bullying, are hung along the gym walls.
The particular vulnerability of some of these students to bullying is clear, as is the need for vigilance on the part of the staff. An anti-bullying policy is prominently displayed on the district’s website.
Many staff at the event noted that bullying, while a problem, is not any more prevalent here than in any setting with school-age students. This is an issue of social development. We all remember the school bully, even if that experience was many years in the past.
One message at the carnival is to report bullying behavior. The high staff-to-student ratio required by the special needs programs does help to reduce the opportunities for bullying behavior, yet it can happen and staff members want to deal with it quickly.
The message of the carnival, however, is phrased less in terms of anti-bullying and more in terms of kindness to others. The social interaction at the various games and tables, gave students an opportunity to concretely experience the benefits of kindness.
For the students and staff of the Special Services School District this event is the conclusion of another year of focus on the proper way to interact with others.
One look at the enthusiasm of the teachers, case workers, administrators and one-on-one staff makes clear the dedication and attention the school gives to the special needs student.
Yet, the expense associated with special services makes budgets and resources a constant struggle.
The third school in the district is COMPACT, an alternative school for high school students who have not been successful in a traditional setting. Despite the many examples of positive results coming from COMPACT programs, the school will close at the end of this year due to funding difficulties and low enrollment. 
The enrollment has decreased as sending districts have been increasingly unwilling to refer students to COMPACT with its higher tuition and transportation expenses. A recent Freeholder meeting saw moving testimonials by students who were helped by COMPACT but the economics could not be overcome.
As COMPACT closes, Ocean Academy and the County High School will continue for the needs of a unique group of students.
A glance around the gym at the special needs students and the high staff levels that are so important to the success of the program makes clear the reasons why special services are expensive and also why they are so important.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.