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Sandy Hook Promise Kicks Off Fifth Annual Say Something Week

Students across the country learn warning signs of someone at risk of hurting themselves or others

Newtown, CT — This week, Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) hosts the fifth annual Say Something Week, March 2 through 6, a call-to-action week when thousands of students nationwide will participate in Say Something activities and training.  The Say Something program trains educators and students in grades 6-12 how to recognize the warning signs of violence and self-harm — including suicide, bullying, depression, eating disorders and substance, physical or sexual abuse — and how to reach out to a trusted adult to get help. Say Something empowers every student to help others and their community by becoming upstanders instead of bystanders.

According to research, in 4 out of 5 school shootings, the attacker told someone of his/her plans prior to the attack and 70% of people who complete suicide told someone of their intention or gave some type of warning sign. SHP’s programs work to proactively prevent tragedy by reinforcing the power within young people to stop violence before it starts.

Ánimo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School in Los Angeles was able to avoid a school shooting thanks to the Say Something program. Several students trained in the program saw a 13-year-old classmate showing warning signs and making threats. The students told a trusted adult, who immediately contacted the authorities. The student was found to be in possession of an AR-15, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a map of the school and hit lists of students and staff members.

“There is no doubt that lives were saved that day,” said Angela Rodriguez, the school’s assistant principal.

She credited the Say Something training the students received, along with a prolonged effort to create a culture of trusting relationships between adults and students at the school, with preventing a shooting. Students who learned the signs had a trusted adult they could turn to, which ultimately saved lives.

Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, will visit the students of Ánimo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School to celebrate their success and discuss the power that each student has to prevent violence and save lives when they “say something” to a trusted adult. Hockley will be joined by the Los Angeles Kings for the special event. The Los Angeles event will be held on March 4, 2020. (Journalists interested in covering the Los Angeles event, please contact Loretta Kane at 917-410-7242 or [email protected]).

Say Something Week is all about empowering students to help prevent school violence,” said Hockley. “We can save lives just by teaching students to look for the signs of someone who is at risk of hurting themselves or someone else and encouraging them to go to a trusted adult for help. Every middle school and high school student should know the signs and what to do when they see them.”

To date, more than 11 million people nationwide have participated in SHP’s proven Know the Signs programs that focus on preventing violence by training youth and adults how to identify warning signs and intervene to get help before a tragedy can occur. Through these no-cost programs, SHP has averted multiple school shooting plots, teen suicides, and countless other acts of violence.

Say Something is a Know the Signs program delivered at no cost to schools and youth organizations by SHP. The program can be taught in the classroom, through assemblies, by student ambassadors, or online through digital program offerings. Learn more at sandyhookpromise.org/say-something.

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About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.  SHP’s mission is to create a culture engaged in preventing shootings, violence, and other harmful acts in schools. Through its proven Know the Signs programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. Make the Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.

About Ánimo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School:

Ánimo Mae Jemison is a charter middle school serving 6th-8th grade students of the Watts and Compton communities in South Los Angeles. Animo Mae Jemison was founded in 2014 by Green Dot Public Schools, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping transform public education for all students so that they can graduate prepared for college, leadership and life. Green Dot Public Schools works to serve families and students in historically underserved communities and is a nationally recognized leader in school transformation. Green Dot Public Schools is one of the top three largest charter public school providers in the country, with 25 Title I secondary schools located in Los Angeles and Memphis.

About the Los Angeles Kings:

For more than half a century, the Los Angeles Kings have been bringing excitement, passion and Stanley Cup glory to Southern California, delighting our deeply loyal fan base by being a leader in incredible events and employing the greatest players in NHL history.  Visit the Kings online at LAKings.com, follow us on Twitter @LAKings and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LAKings.  For media information visit LAKings.com/media and for all Kings ticket information call 1.888.KINGS.LA.