From Sept. 15–19, elementary schools across BBP participated in Start with Hello Week, an initiative created by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit founded by families affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.
Start with Hello empowers students to combat social isolation by teaching empathy and encouraging inclusive behavior, an effort that closely aligns with one of BBP’s core values: ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging.
Throughout the week, students at Blue Point, Academy Street and Sylvan Avenue elementary schools engaged in a variety of activities designed to foster kindness and connection. One highlight was signing the Start with Hello pledge, where students committed to showing empathy, reaching out to those who may feel alone and being upstanders in their school. Many classrooms paired older and younger students to sign and decorate their pledges, each one printed on a handprint cutout.
This weeklong celebration of inclusivity reminds us all that even the smallest gesture, like saying hello, can make a big difference.
