A simple “Hello” from peers can change the course of a student’s day. “Hello” is a powerful tool that can help students in all grades feel less isolated and more included. For these reasons, Tyler ISD is proud to celebrate “Start with Hello” week September 21-25 with fun and engaging daily activities to inspire students to reach out to others with a simple Hello.
“This will be our third year to celebrate Start with Hello week in Tyler ISD, and our students benefit greatly each year from the lessons and activities our campuses initiate,” Executive Director of Student Support Dr. Jennifer Jones said. “Some students find it easy to include others, but most students will tell you they don’t know where to start. By just saying hello, conversations and connections with each other can begin. And that is what this week is all about.”
Start with Hello is a program from the Sandy Hook Promise organization that teaches students in grades K-12 to take small but powerful actions to promote inclusion and to support students who are showing signs of loneliness and isolation. The program focuses on three steps: learn how to recognize when someone is alone; reach out to find ways to help; and start with “Hello” to break the ice and begin a conversation.
Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut that is led by several family members who lost loved ones in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. The organization 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.
Campuses engage in fun events around a daily theme that by the end of the week spells out HELLO:
- Monday, Sept. 21: “H” – Students share Hi’s and Happy Greetings to everyone! Aloha is the theme, so wear your Hawaiian shirts or attire to kick off the fun week ahead!
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: “E” – Encourage Everyone! Give each other compliments!
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: “L” - Learn the names of students you do not know and show kindness!
- Thursday, Sept 24: “L” – Look for ways to help. Sit with a new person at lunch or make a new friend.
- Friday, Sept. 25: “O” – Own it! Make it your job to celebrate togetherness, connectedness and inclusion!
Check with your campus for specific activities planned around the daily theme, and both In-School and Learn@Home students are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Tyler ISD Communications at 903-262-1064.