Madison schools say ‘Hello’ to make a difference
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REXBURG — A single word isn’t likely to change the world, but it might change a life.
That belief is the driving force behind the “Start with Hello” campaign in Madison School District 321. This week, hundreds of students, teachers and Upper Valley residents are coming together to fight isolation and loneliness among children, teens and the community at large by saying “hello.” The local effort ties in with a larger countrywide “Start with Hello” campaign, sponsored by national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise.
“The ultimate goal of the campaign is to educate and teach kids, parents and teachers what social isolation looks like and what to do about it when they see it,” district spokeswoman Jessica Goudy told EastIdahoNews.com.
Throughout the week, students are participating in activities and events aimed at encouraging youth to put down their cellphones and earbuds and reach out to someone they’ve never spoken to before.
“There are so many kids in our school who could benefit from someone just saying hello to them,” senior Max Moore said. “Just because you have different tastes or likes than other people, doesn’t mean you can’t be friends with someone else.”
As part of the campaign, Moore and the other members of the student council are taking the message to the younger grades. The older students and district staff have been out in the morning hours when students arrive at school. The council makes sure every student is greeted and receives a “Start with Hello” bracelet.
When school starts, classes at all the schools participate in ice-breaker games to encourage kids to get to know each other.
“Our goal is to spread awareness, but we also want to help students make friends, feel unified and get together,” Moore said.
The district has been very successful at taking the message beyond the classroom. At a kick-off assembly on Monday, Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill signed a city proclamation declaring it “Start With Hello Week” in the city. The proclamation also was signed by Madison County Sheriff Roy Klingler, Police Chief Shane Turman, Madison County Commissioner Jon Weber, School Superintendent Geoff Thomas and members of the City Council and Madison School Board.
Restaurants in the community have put out campaign table toppers for patrons. Business signs and billboards are also displaying “Hello” as part of the campaign.
“We’ve had an amazing response from the schools, students and the community,” Goudy said.
The national campaign have its roots in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in December 2012. Several parents whose children were killed in the shooting started the campaign to fight chronic social isolation. The nonprofit believes the best way to combat bullying, violence and depression among youth is to create a culture of inclusion at schools.
The district got involved with “Start with Hello” because the effort closely aligns with its Madison CARES program, a district-wide initiative aimed at improving child mental health and well-being. Schools also participated because students could help with and organize the campaign.
“The students took time to figure out what (their peers) would respond and react to,” Madison High School teacher Ryan Snelgrove said. “We are reaching a large demographic with this campaign because the students are a big part of it. And if we can reach out to just one person, than this has been successful, but I think we’ll reach a lot more than that.
For information about “Start with Hello” locally, click here. Information on the national program is available here.
