Project Graduation, a year-long series of activities leading
up to "The BASH", provides drug and alcohol-free events and
promotes class cohesiveness for Ridge High School Seniors. "The BASH"
is an all-night drug and alcohol-free graduation celebration that is supervised
by school personnel, parents, and community volunteers.
Project Graduation first began in Bernards
Township in 1986 because
of the many local tragedies associated with drinking and driving on graduation
night. The program was created as an alternative to the post-graduation parties
that brought so much concern and grief to families in our community. Because of
Project Graduation, local parents sleep better on graduation night, knowing
that their children are in a safe place.
The Bernards Township SCOP Team (pronounced "scope") oversees the program. The
SCOP Team (State Community Organization Program) is a committee that includes
representation from parents, school administration, school faculty, police,
local clergy and the health department. The SCOP Team meets approximately six
times, or as needed, during school year on the first Monday of the month at
3:00 pm at the Bernards Township Health Department. Project Graduation is a
private, tax exempt, 401(c)(4) organization.
The major activities organized by the SCOP Team include:
- Senior
tailgate party / Senior night
- Senior
breakfast
- Market
day fundraiser
- Poinsettia
fundraiser
- Mystery
bus ride
- 100-Day
countdown to graduation celebration
- Alcohol
education assembly
- Ice cream
social
- The
graduation night BASH
- For more information on Project
Graduation, please call the Health Department at: (908) 204-3070..