To have safer, kinder, and more inclusive communities, Back to School season is the time to set plans in motion. As school shootings and youth violence continue to be an issue in American schools, research proves that when we “know the signs,” we can prevent violence and reverse the trends.
Whether you’re an educator, parent, caregiver, student, or just wants to help keep kids safe, it starts with a commitment to work together. These essential resources will help you build stronger relationships, strengthen an Upstander culture, and uplift others to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities.
Get classroom and schoolwide ready with developmentally-appropriate, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) activities and ideas.
Your Ultimate Planning Guide
Our Back-to-School Guide for educators aligns with the key messages in our proven Know the Signs programs and offers developmentally-appropriate K-12 lesson plans and activities to cultivate Upstanders, build relationships with Trusted Adults, and foster an inclusive community. Boom! Make it your go-to guide all year long.
Join us for Start With Hello Week
Start With Hello Week is September 15 – 19, 2025. Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in this national call-to-action week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth. Learn more and sign up now!
Activities for Trusted Adults
Knowing the 10 critical warning signs of violence have helped thousands of students know when to “say something” to a Trusted Adult to get help and save lives. These easy-lift resources and activities boost connection, build empathy, and will empower students to recognize signs and speak up to Trusted Adults (you!) to foster safer communities. Get more Know the Signs: Trusted Adults Activities.
Supporting Students Through Tough Transitions
Prioritize relationships for Back-to-School success! Get strategies to build strong bonds, engage parents, and create an inclusive classroom environment.
Educator News in Your Inbox
Get the latest news and ideas to support youth mental health and empower students to look out for one another. Subscribe now.
Your role as a Trusted Adult for youth is more critical than ever. Students of all ages often face mixed emotions and uncertainty on their return to school. Trusted Adults are the parents, guardians, educators, and caregivers who are present and actively involved in kids’ lives and help to provide a safe space for their mental health and well-being.
Activities for Trusted Adults
Families help empower their children to be Upstanders by teaching them to know the 10 critical warning signs of violence and to “say something” to a Trusted Adult. These simple resources and activities enforce that message, and strengthen connections, build empathy, and more.
Empowering your Community
Know your school safety plan. Sandy Hook Promise’s Guiding Principles of School Safety outlines strategies for school community stakeholders like you to start the conversation at your school.
Start With Hello Family Activity Guide
This monthly family activity guide (Spanish) brings the Start with Hello message outside of school and into your home. These activities provide opportunities for families to hone relationship-building skills, along with strengthening social and self-awareness.
Know the Signs: Safe Spaces on Social Media
Our kids are seeing more than we realize online. To be an empathetic guide in their digital world, it’s important to talk with our kids about what they are seeing online, who they follow, and how the content makes them feel. This activity will help enable those conversations.
Belonging Boosters
Everyday acts of kindness and connection may seem small, but they have a huge impact. These Belonging Boosters are quick, engaging, short-form lessons that not only help others feel seen, they also empower even the quietest child to feel like they matter
A new school year can be both exciting and challenging. These resources can help you support your peers and school community.
Watch for Warning Signs
Learn and share the 10 warning signs of someone at risk of hurting themselves or others and “say something” to a Trusted Adult.
Start or Join a Club
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club empowers youth to take charge of keeping their schools and communities safe. Get started at your school!
Find Inspiration
Embrace your unique power! Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson shows you how. Read his inspiring journey and experience as a former Sandy Hook Promise Youth Advisory Board member.
Uplift BIPOC youth voices.
Gun violence prevention advocate Lena Kalandjian (also a former Youth Advisory Board member) tells you how you can help.
Make an Impact
Youth are leading the culture change and building a movement. Let’s do this together! Here are youth-centered actions you can take (and some only take 5 minutes)!
Volunteer to Drive Change
Volunteer your time to help create safer, healthier schools, homes, and communities for our children. Promise Leaders take action in four focus areas: Building Awareness, Program Promotion, Advocacy, and Fundraising to support Sandy Hook Promise’s work and mission. Become a Promise Leader volunteer.
The Sandy Hook Promise mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Join millions of people who have already made the Promise to protect children from gun violence. Make the Promise.
Spread the Word!
Raise awareness on social media with our action kit. Honor with action and stand with us to #ProtectOurKids from gun violence and to #KnowtheSigns.
Stay informed on what Sandy Hook Promise is doing to help prevent gun violence in schools, homes and communities.
