National "Start with Hello" Week Connects and Unites PLSD Students throughout the District
Hello, Namaste, Hola, Bonjour, Salaan or Haye, Marhaba, a simple hello in any language can change someone’s day.
This week, schools throughout Pickerington Local Schools (PLSD) are rolling out various activities and events to build community and foster a sense of belonging in honor of National “Start with Hello” Week.
Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start with Hello Week, which the Sandy Hook Promise organization created to help students build empathy, healthy relationships, and social awareness through a myriad of connection activities.
For PLSD, “Start with Hello” Week is an initiative that relies on each one of us. It's aimed at building connections, ending loneliness, and helping one another, whether in school or the larger community. It takes all of our participation to make this initiative a success.
“Start with Hello” is built on three simple but powerful actions: notice when someone is alone, reach out to them, and say hello. The week will include different themes each day. For example:
- Monday: Start with Hello! This day is filled with a variety of activities to help you meet someone new, invite a new student to do homework, participate in an activity, share a snack or a new song, or share something new about yourself. It's a day of excitement and new connections.
- Tuesday: Show appreciation to the Upstanders in your school community.
- Wednesday: Green Out! Wear green as a symbol of unity and solidarity.
- Thursday: Thank a Trusted Adult! Trusted Adults are always spreading the Start with Hello spirit!
- Friday: Moving Forward Fri-Yay! Take the Start with Hello Promise Pledge to keep the Start with Hello spirit going throughout the school year.
“Start with Hello’ Week creates meaningful opportunities for every student to feel welcome, valued, and included in their school community,” said Marvella Allen, MSW, LISW-S, Director of Prevention & Intervention. “By reinforcing a culture of kindness, the initiative helps students build positive relationships, show gratitude, practice empathy, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone in the school community,” she added.
School counselors are leading the Start with Hello initiative with various Spirit Week activities that promote positive conversations among students, such as affirmation cards, door decorating contests, and other inclusive activities designed to foster a sense of community and belonging.
"Start with Hello" is a great reminder to reach out and say 'Hello' to new and familiar faces," said District Social Worker Dr. Erica Magier. "You never know what one simple word can do to make someone's day a little bit better and to help others feel like they belong," she added.
At Heritage Elementary School, students launched the week with Meet-N-Greet Monday, encouraging everyone to wear brightly colored t-shirts with positive messages!
Pickerington Elementary School kicked off the week by “mixing it up” with mismatched clothes and wacky hairstyles, and they'll close the week with a fun run.
Harmon Middle School started its week with Crazy Sock Day to promote fun and unity. Students will also have the opportunity to compete in a treasure hunt challenge focused on inclusion and belonging, to keep the “Start with Hello” spirit moving forward.
At Ridgeview Junior High School, English Learners kicked off the week by creating signs featuring 'Hello' in their native languages. These signs were placed around the school to greet students and staff, celebrating the diversity and sense of belonging that “Start with Hello” Week promotes.
“Start with Hello” Week is just the beginning. As the activities continue, we encourage everyone in the PLSD community to carry forward the lessons of kindness, empathy, and inclusion throughout the school year. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and supported every day.