Broadview Middle School receives $10,000 from Sandy Hook Promise
Students at Broadview Middle School had no idea that their commitment to reaching out to isolated students and creating a school environment that fostered a culture of kindness was part of a contest. Students helped to make “Start with Hello” a part of their school routine because they don’t want anyone to ever feel left out.
On May 20, Broadview Middle School was presented with a $10,000 check for its participation in “Start with Hello,” a program supported by the anti-violence campaign, Sandy Hook Promise. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in a mass shooting at a Newtown elementary school in December 2012.
More than 360,000 students in grades two through 12 from nearly 600 schools nationwide participated in the Feb. 8 SHP “Call-to-Action” week. Danbury’s Pembroke Elementary School was one of eight schools that earned Honorable Mention. “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.
“I feel a beautiful warmth from this school,” said Mark Barden of SHP. “What you are doing . . . is truly a model for other schools across the country. There is more to just the activities. There is a genuineness that you can’t make up.”
Students were led by Christine Miller, social skills counselor at the school, and members of the school’s leadership program – a group of 65 students who help head up activities. This year students took part in many events this year to “Start with Hello”: they participated in Down syndrome awareness, made cards for Danbury Hospital, packed care bags for those who are homeless, collected food for a local food pantry, adopted a street to clean up to “say hello” to neighbors, and planted a community garden at their school.
“’Start with Hello’ puts the power in our hands to make the world a better place,” said Broadview student and members of the leadership program Declan Jacobson.