“Start with Hello Week” Introduces
NHSD Students to New Inclusion
Programs and Curriculum
from Sandy Hook Promise
S
tarting this school year, North
Hills School District will now
utilize inclusion programs
including “Start with Hello”
and “Say Something” aligned with
Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-
profit organization founded and led
by several family members whose
loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook
Elementary School. The programs and
their related curriculum were introduced
districtwide to students during “Start
with Hello Week.”
“Start with Hello Week” helped
students gain the skills they need
to create a culture of inclusion and
connectedness, and encourage them to
reach out to and include those who may
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ROSS TOWNSHIP
be dealing with chronic social isolation.
Social isolation is the overwhelming
feeling of being left out, lonely or treated
like you are invisible. Young people
who feel this way may pull away from
society, struggle with learning and
social development, or choose to hurt
themselves or others.
The “Start with Hello” program enables
students to make a difference with their
peers in a simple, fun and impactful
way by encouraging them to take
small but powerful actions to promote
connectedness and inclusion, and to
identify and help others who are showing
signs of social isolation.
During “Start with Hello Week” at our
elementary schools, students took part:
• Classroom-level lessons with
engaging icebreakers
• Random Acts of Kindness Day