Each year in September, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week to celebrate the amazing work of educators, students, and community members in building socially inclusive learning environments for all students. Here are some sample activities to inspire children and youth to Start With Hello.
While the national call-to-action week takes place September 20 – 24, in order to provide schools maximum flexibility, schools are encouraged to select a week that works best for them between September 7 – October 1, 2021. Sandy Hook Promise will recognize participants nationwide throughout September for their Start With Hello celebrations.
Search the hashtags #StartWithHello and #StartWithHelloWeek on social media channels to see some of the amazing activities schools and youth leaders have done for past call-to-action weeks.
This program teaches students in grades K – 12 to help their peers in a fun and meaningful way. They take small but powerful actions to promote inclusion and to support students who are showing signs of loneliness or social isolation.
You can access Start With Hello program trainings, resources, and engagement activities on the Sandy Hook Promise Learning Center.
Loneliness is the overwhelming feeling of being left out and social isolation is not having frequent interactions with friends. Young people who feel this way may pull away from society, struggle with learning and social development, or choose to hurt themselves or others. Due to COVID-19, all students can empathize with the feelings of isolation due to physical and social distancing. Start With Hello is an important social and emotional learning program to reintroduce students to the power of connecting and helping one another.
The national call-to-action week is September 20 – 24, however, schools can choose any week from September 7 – October 1 to celebrate Start With Hello.
Schools and youth organizations across the country participate to celebrate building connected and inclusive communities. Use this sample email and sample letter to the editor to invite other schools and youth organizations to join in.
During Start With Hello Week, schools celebrate the amazing work their educators, students, SAVE Promise Clubs, and community members are doing to create socially inclusive learning environments for all students There are a variety of ways to celebrate Start With Hello, including engaging students in the Start With Hello training, activities, public proclamations, media events, student contests, and school awards. Upon registering, you will receive resources to help organize a great Start With Hello Week!
View some award-winning schools and SAVE Promise Clubs.
Educational materials, tools, and support from Sandy Hook Promise are available to schools, community-based organizations, and others at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Start With Hello Week Planning Guide: Download this newly updated, no-cost and easy-to-implement planning guide chock full of ideas, activities, and templates that your school or youth organization can do in as little as an hour during Start With Hello Week. Once you register, you’ll have immediate access to educational and promotional materials, and get weekly tips and updates on how to plan for success.
Start With Hello Student Voices Contest: Encourage your students to enter their creative submissions in our Start With Hello Student Voices Contest.
Start With Hello School Award: All schools and youth organizations participating in Start With Hello Week are eligible to apply for a Start With Hello Award.
Start With Hello materials are available in Spanish, Haitian Creole (Kreyòl), Portuguese, and Vietnamese. To receive the materials, please sign up to participate in Start With Hello Week.
Empower your students to play a leadership role in Start With Hello Week by encouraging them to start a Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club. These student-led organizations work to prevent violence in their communities by teaching, modeling, and sustaining Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello and Say Something programs. Each Club receives a Planning Guide, Activity Guide, and variety of tools and resources to make participating in Start With Hello Week easy and impactful.
If your school doesn’t have a SAVE Promise Club, encourage student leaders to start one. Find out more and register.
Start With Hello bracelets, t-shirts, and other materials are available for sale in our online store. Proceeds benefit our programs. Order as soon as possible to ensure delivery in time for your Start With Hello activities! Shop now.
