Sandy Hook Promise, founded by families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims, organized the “Start with Hello” program at schools across the nation during the week of Sept. 16.

Beachwood City School District participated in the free program. 

According to SAY Counselor Cindy Toncler, who oversaw the “Start with Hello” program at BHS, the Sandy Hook Promise aims to prevent violence by encouraging student engagement in their schools.

“The more students feel connected to their school, they’re less likely to have violence within their school or community,” Toncler said.

The SAY/SADD club ran the program this week. Over the past few weeks, the club has met to discuss the focus of each day during “Start with Hello” week.

On the first day, SAY/SADD club members greeted students upon entering the building. They provided information about the week and handed out stickers.

On Tuesday, club members worked during lunch periods to get students to participate in the week’s activities. Students could write down what they were grateful for and enter it into a raffle.

On Wednesday, students could write notes to a trusted adult at school. 

On Thursday, students wrote encouraging letters to their peers. 

The final day of “Start with Hello” week had students sign a pledge stating they will “show empathy for others, reach out to those who seem isolated, be an upstander and start with a friendly ‘hello,’” Principal Paul Chase wrote in his eNewsletter.

Toncler says the program was successful as many students participated. She hopes the goal of the Sandy Hook Promise was met and the activities impacted students.

“…Instead of feeling like we always have to chase after situations where something has already happened that’s hurtful and damaging, this type of program catches it before it gets that far,” Toncler said.

President of SAY club, Romi Balkan reflected upon Start with Hello week.

“The only problem was a lot of the students didn’t want to participate unless they got something out of it.” Balkan said, “The ones who did had a great time.”

The “Start with Hello” Program also took place at Hilltop Elementary.

The focus of each day was altered to be relevant for students in grades 3-5. The week started with students writing ways to say hello in another language. Students participated in Buddy Bingo where they met new people who matched characteristics on their bingo sheet.

Fourth graders Patrick Srithai and Sophie Scheraga said they made many new friends through the Buddy Bingo activity.

“As I got to know people better, I feel more connected to the community and the people around me,” Srithai said.

The elementary school teachers were given the materials to teach their classes about each day’s activity.

The students were very interactive with the activities. Mrs. Delman’s fourth-grade homeroom was excited to write encouraging notes to their friends and meet new people.

Scheraga and Srithai described how much they learned from the “Start with Hello” program.

“I’ve learned to just say hello,” Scheraga said. “If somebody’s sad you should help them, you should always try to make new friends.”

The “Start with Hello” program has shown Srithai how easy it is to make a new friend.

“Just saying hello can start a new friendship,” he said.