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What's News.........
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Board and Committee meetings held every month on the third Thursday at 7:00 PM in the Copeland Middle School Library. All meetings are open to the public.
Bingo Fund Raiser and 50/50 - Saturday, October 19th
Join us for a night of Bingo fun and cash prizes. All proceeds support our program to help educate your children about the dangers of substance abuse and guide them to make positive life choices.
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Click either picture to download a PDF version
Meet one of our Celebrity Day celebrities for an early meet and greet on Saturday May 4th
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary we also honor the people that have helped make this program an important and impactful part of our Copeland Middle School children's lives. We could not of accomplished this without our volunteers, celebrities, guest speakers, school administration, and supporters past and present. Too many to name here but our heartfelt thank you to each and every person that has touched the lives of our children.
A special thank you to John Bell as he retires from the RTSAA for all his years of dedicated service to our program and his undeniable passion for the health and well being of our children, our future generation.
A special thank you to John Bell as he retires from the RTSAA for all his years of dedicated service to our program and his undeniable passion for the health and well being of our children, our future generation.
click to view this years slideshow of Celebrity Day
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click to view a slideshow of our tribute to Coach Bob Hurley and his presentation to the students at Copeland Middle School
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Interview on the Todd Leonard Show with Les Wexler about the importance of drug abuse awareness and education
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, supported and worked to make this a successful event. With a full house at Copeland Middle School of parents, their children and concerned adults eager to learn more about the devastating issues surrounding substance abuse. Our guest speakers discussed the path that led them to their addictions and the difficult road to recovery. Law enforcement provided details of their efforts to curtail the flow of drugs into and around the county and the important role that the K-9 units provide. A demonstration by the K-9 unit of the dog's incredible sense of smell completed the evening.
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Radio AM-970, Debbie Duhaime acknowledges a successful event on the Joe Piscopo Show.
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25th Anniversary Message from our President / Co-Founder
I can’t believe as I write this message that we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. When we first thought about doing a program such as ours in 1998 there wasn’t a lot of high expectations, just a lot of unknowns. Would the school administration agree to have a substance abuse education program in their middle school? Would the community accept it for their children? Would the parents want to believe that there was a substance abuse problem in our community? These are the questions that we knew would be out there.
We were very fortunate to have a school superintendent, Dr. Tom Parciak who put our children first and felt their health and well being was his top priority. It was because of his common sense and logic that “Project Positive Choice” was born.
Since 1998 over 15,000 students and adults have learned firsthand the dangers of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. Many people have been instrumental over the years in helping to get our message to our students and many others. Since day one this has been a team effort. The number of entities that have been part of our mission is truly overwhelming and very humbling.
There are no more unknowns with our program and everyone from city, county and state officials as well as the community at large have fully embraced our efforts to help their children make positive choices.
It is hard to believe it is 25 years as it seems that only yesterday we were trying to put a program together.
I want to thank everyone that has been there for us and with us over the years. Words can never explain how appreciative and thankful I am to each and everyone one of you.
Our mission continues and I hope you will continue to be part of the journey we are all a part of.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for your continued efforts and friendship.
Les Wexler
President/Co-Founder
We were very fortunate to have a school superintendent, Dr. Tom Parciak who put our children first and felt their health and well being was his top priority. It was because of his common sense and logic that “Project Positive Choice” was born.
Since 1998 over 15,000 students and adults have learned firsthand the dangers of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. Many people have been instrumental over the years in helping to get our message to our students and many others. Since day one this has been a team effort. The number of entities that have been part of our mission is truly overwhelming and very humbling.
There are no more unknowns with our program and everyone from city, county and state officials as well as the community at large have fully embraced our efforts to help their children make positive choices.
It is hard to believe it is 25 years as it seems that only yesterday we were trying to put a program together.
I want to thank everyone that has been there for us and with us over the years. Words can never explain how appreciative and thankful I am to each and everyone one of you.
Our mission continues and I hope you will continue to be part of the journey we are all a part of.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for your continued efforts and friendship.
Les Wexler
President/Co-Founder
Thank you to all of our supporters for making this a successful event. Perfect weather, great food and wonderful music. A special thanks to Dean and his staff of the Rockaway River Barn for their donation and Captains of Leisure for donating their entertainment.
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Positive Choices Lead to Positive Lives, a documentary highlighting the substance abuse education prevention program based at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway Township called "Project Positive Choice."
We want to thank Mario DiSanza and Ryan Percival who were the filmmakers on this project. They spent almost a year and a half interviewing, filming and editing the documentary.
They did all of this as 8th graders and we are all very proud of them. We wish them well as they continue to pursue their talents and dreams in this field.
They did all of this as 8th graders and we are all very proud of them. We wish them well as they continue to pursue their talents and dreams in this field.
Our Roots
After seeing loved ones go through the pain of losing someone so close to them due to an irresponsible decision, a group of concerned Rockaway Township residents decided to do something about it. In 1998 Morris County lost 22 residents due to a heroin overdose. In the fall of 1998 Project Positive Choice was introduced into the Copeland Middle School curriculum. The program was designed to help them make the right choices before they reached high school. We made a commitment to them in 1998 and continue today to keep that commitment. Our program has not only continued to reach our students but has expanded to other towns in New Jersey. All children face the same critical issues and we hope Project Positive Choice will help them as they enter high school and beyond. Our children are our most precious resource; we cannot fail them.
Our Mission
Project Positive Choice is an alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse prevention program designed to inform, prepare and educate middle school students about the devastating and crippling effects of alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse. Through the efforts of a comprehensive curriculum, students are encouraged, motivated and inspired to make choices that are positive, constructive and drug free.
Our Program
Phase 1
Phase 1 consists of an individual who is in recovery speak to our middle school students about their addiction, the demons they fight every day, how it has affected their life and their families lives and their efforts to get their life back on track.
Phase 2
Someone speaks to the 8th grade students at Copeland Middle School about the tragic death of a loved one due to a drug overdose. This is a very powerful program presented to the students from a relatives perspective.
Phase 3
Phase 3 consists of an individual who is in recovery speak to our middle school students about their addiction, the demons they fight every day, how it has affected their life and their families lives and their efforts to get their life back on track.
Phase 4
The last phase of the school year is called “Celebrity Day” and consists of numerous celebrities spending an entire day with the 8th grade students. It starts with a buffet breakfast with dignitaries, administrators, members of the police department, celebrities, some students and invited guests. After breakfast, the celebrities head into the gymnasium where they are greeted by the entire 8th grade class. After the assembly each celebrity is escorted by two students who take them to different classrooms where they discuss their lives and success without having to resort to drugs and alcohol. At lunchtime they all go to the cafeteria where the celebrities have lunch with the students, sign autographs, and take pictures. At the end of the day they all meet back in the gymnasium for a final activity of a basketball game.
After seeing loved ones go through the pain of losing someone so close to them due to an irresponsible decision, a group of concerned Rockaway Township residents decided to do something about it. In 1998 Morris County lost 22 residents due to a heroin overdose. In the fall of 1998 Project Positive Choice was introduced into the Copeland Middle School curriculum. The program was designed to help them make the right choices before they reached high school. We made a commitment to them in 1998 and continue today to keep that commitment. Our program has not only continued to reach our students but has expanded to other towns in New Jersey. All children face the same critical issues and we hope Project Positive Choice will help them as they enter high school and beyond. Our children are our most precious resource; we cannot fail them.
Our Mission
Project Positive Choice is an alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse prevention program designed to inform, prepare and educate middle school students about the devastating and crippling effects of alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse. Through the efforts of a comprehensive curriculum, students are encouraged, motivated and inspired to make choices that are positive, constructive and drug free.
Our Program
Phase 1
Phase 1 consists of an individual who is in recovery speak to our middle school students about their addiction, the demons they fight every day, how it has affected their life and their families lives and their efforts to get their life back on track.
Phase 2
Someone speaks to the 8th grade students at Copeland Middle School about the tragic death of a loved one due to a drug overdose. This is a very powerful program presented to the students from a relatives perspective.
Phase 3
Phase 3 consists of an individual who is in recovery speak to our middle school students about their addiction, the demons they fight every day, how it has affected their life and their families lives and their efforts to get their life back on track.
Phase 4
The last phase of the school year is called “Celebrity Day” and consists of numerous celebrities spending an entire day with the 8th grade students. It starts with a buffet breakfast with dignitaries, administrators, members of the police department, celebrities, some students and invited guests. After breakfast, the celebrities head into the gymnasium where they are greeted by the entire 8th grade class. After the assembly each celebrity is escorted by two students who take them to different classrooms where they discuss their lives and success without having to resort to drugs and alcohol. At lunchtime they all go to the cafeteria where the celebrities have lunch with the students, sign autographs, and take pictures. At the end of the day they all meet back in the gymnasium for a final activity of a basketball game.
Our Leadership
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Executive Board
Leslie Wexler, President and Co-Founder Melissa Hanson, Co-Vice President Lisa Wexler, Co-Vice President Lil Wexler, Secretary and Co-Founder Todd Silverman, Treasurer |
Committee Members
Chief Martin McParland Sgt. John McParland Gabe Dipietro Joe Jackson Manny Friedlander Tanya Shields Kelly Rodimer Mary McAloon Kevin McAloon Jim Horan |
Contact Information
Leslie Wexler
Telephone
713.338.9441
Postal address
1 Erie Avenue, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Electronic mail
General Information: lesliewexler@rtsaa.org
Webmaster: toddsilverman@rtsaa.org
Leslie Wexler
Telephone
713.338.9441
Postal address
1 Erie Avenue, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Electronic mail
General Information: lesliewexler@rtsaa.org
Webmaster: toddsilverman@rtsaa.org
