Rogers Park students Spread Kindness on campus

                

At the start of school Friday morning, the entire student body at Rogers Park Middle School gathered outside to “Spread Kindness” by holding hands and making a human chain. Students then turned to their neighbors to say something kind.

Friday’s “Spread Kindness” starts a week of “Say Something” activities at Rogers Park in support of the anti-violence campaign, Sandy Hook Promise. Other schools in the district will also sponsor activities throughout the school year.

The “Say Something” and “Start with Hello” programs from SHP focus on preventing violence, suicide and fear-inducing threats before they happen. “Say Something” instructs students in grades six through 12 how to look for warning signs, signals and threats, particularly in social media, from an individual who may be threatening to hurt himself or herself, or others, and to say something to a trusted adult to get help. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in a mass shooting at a Newtown elementary school in December 2012.

“Start with Hello” addresses social isolation, a growing epidemic in schools and across the country, and refers to the overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely and treated as being invisible. Research supports that excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. This program teaches students in grades two through 12 skills necessary to reach out and include those who may be dealing with chronic isolation. It empowers students to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school.

Rogers Park will start Monday with a “Say Something Kick-Off Presentation” together with a Unity Day, where students are encouraged to all wear something orange to school, and a mix-it-up lunch, where students’ lunch seats are changed to encourage making friends outside their normal social circle. On Tuesday, students will arrive at school to find kind words posted on all of the lockers. Student volunteers have written more than 925 Post-it notes.

Wednesday is “International Say Something,” so during lunch students can have their photo taken in front of a green screen with a message of kindness, support and inclusion for students around the world. “Black Out Bullying” day and “Break the Silence” will be Thursday. Students are encouraged to wear black as a stand against bullying. Eighth graders will share message of support, hope and unity with sixth-grade students. Also during the week, students will create a MoSAYic wall creation by recording a personal “Say Something” messages that will be posted on class bulletin boards.

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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