Category: Schools

Middle school is a major transition point for students and families. Children are becoming more independent, friendships are becoming more influential, and many are starting to encounter new pressures around alcohol, vaping, marijuana, and other substances. For parents and caregivers, this can feel overwhelming. You may wonder what normal curiosity is, what warning signs to…

Do Cell Phone Bans Really Help Students? As New Jersey prepares to limit student cell phone use during the school day, many parents, caregivers, educators, and school communities are asking the same question: Will cell phone bans actually help students? The answer depends on what we mean by “help.” If the goal is simply to…

Related Articles: Smartphones are as common as backpacks in today’s classrooms, but should they be? In New Jersey, that question is at the center of a growing debate among parents, teachers, and lawmakers, with serious implications for students’ mental health, academic performance, and safety. The Push for a Statewide Ban In early 2026, Governor Phil…

This post was written by Ethan Lin, a local high school student, to share a student perspective on how substance use and prevention messages are experienced in everyday school life. I wanted to write this because, as a student, I’ve heard adults talk about substance use a lot. Whether it is through school assemblies, politics,…

By: Ethan Lin Peer pressure is a widespread challenge in schools today, affecting students across different age groups and backgrounds. According to Peer, 77%–90% of teens report feeling or experiencing peer pressure, underscoring how common and influential it can be. While some educators can’t control every instance of negative peer pressure in schools, they can…

New Jersey has passed legislation requiring school districts to limit student cell phone use during the school day, with statewide guidelines and local school board policies expected to shape its implementation in practice. As reported by AP News, the law focuses on prohibiting non-academic use of internet-connected devices, including phones, during school hours, and is…

Related Articles:  Emotional resilience is a core skill that helps children manage stress, adapt to challenges, and recover from setbacks with confidence. For elementary students, building resilience early provides a foundation for navigating academic expectations, peer relationships, and the social pressures that emerge as they grow. Across New Jersey, educators and families are placing greater…

By Blake Birenkrant It’s no secret that social media has become a very important part of many people’s lives. Today, there are so many different technological devices to use, such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, watches, and more. Access to different social media platforms is right at our fingertips. Social media has many benefits in today’s…

For parents, sending a child to school comes with a unique set of worries: Will my child make friends? Are they struggling academically? Are they being challenged? Are they being bullied? There is no doubt about the drastic differences in curriculum and school environment across the decades, but one thing always remains (and evolves): bullying….

Veronica, a high school senior from Monmouth County, is speaking out about her experience with anorexia in hopes of helping other young people and their caregivers recognize the early signs of eating disorders. As she prepares to study nutrition in college, she is using her personal story to advocate for awareness, prevention, and compassionate care….

By Blake Birenkrant, Manalapan High School Applying to colleges today is vastly different than it was in the past. The main reason for this is how increasingly competitive getting into college has become, especially for schools deemed in the top 20. It’s not that these colleges are just trying to seem like they are super…