Fostering Connections: How "Start With Hello" Week Brings Students Together

In a world where social isolation and disconnection can have profound impacts on young people, schools across the nation are taking proactive steps to promote kindness, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. This week, schools in the Tampa Bay area and beyond are participating in the "Start With Hello" initiative, a national call to action aimed at empowering students to make new social connections and create a more inclusive environment.

Bridging the Divide: "Start With Hello" Week's Mission to Combat Isolation

Cultivating Connections at Martinez Middle School

At Martinez Middle School in Hillsborough County, Florida, students are embracing the "Start With Hello" initiative with open arms. Seventh-grader Stella Paban has already witnessed a remarkable transformation in her peers. "I saw some kids that are really quiet, but then they would see other quiet kids, and they would talk to them, and they would kind of like pair up and buddy together," she observed, highlighting the power of this program to foster new social connections.The "Start With Hello" initiative, sponsored by the Sandy Hook Promise, is a national effort to address the pressing issue of social isolation among young people. By encouraging students to make new connections, create a sense of belonging, and reach out to those who may feel excluded, the program aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of students.

Fostering Inclusivity and Belonging

School counselor Betsy Dillon has been thrilled to see the enthusiasm and engagement of the Martinez Middle School community. "I was just delighted yesterday when we did the hello-grams, and we had to keep going back and make extra copies because we ran out at every lunch," she shared, underscoring the students' eagerness to participate in the activities.Throughout the week, Martinez Middle students have engaged in a variety of activities designed to promote unity and inclusivity. From wearing green to represent unity to saying hello to someone new and filling out "hello-grams," the students have embraced the spirit of the initiative.Dillon emphasized the importance of this sense of belonging and inclusivity, explaining, "It just makes them want to come to school, and if they're in school, then they're experiencing relationships with other people, both kids and adults and positive relationships with kids and adults." By fostering these connections, the "Start With Hello" program aims to create an environment where students feel valued, supported, and motivated to engage with their peers and the school community.

Spreading the Message of Kindness

The "Start With Hello" initiative is not just a one-time event; it's a call to action to make kindness and inclusion a year-round priority. Paban, the seventh-grader, expressed her desire to continue the momentum, saying, "I've made a lot of new friends just from Hello week, and I want to, like, keep going and interacting with people."By empowering students to reach out, make new connections, and cultivate a sense of belonging, the "Start With Hello" program is poised to have a lasting impact on the lives of young people. As the message of kindness and inclusion spreads, the hope is that it will inspire a ripple effect, transforming school communities and fostering a more compassionate and connected world.