Bright Colors, band shirts, and sports jerseys were seen across campus last week. It was all part of Start With Hello Week. The national call to action is dedicated to the social connections and inclusion of all youth.
The initiative is tied to the Sandy Hook Promise, a promise made after the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. The promise raises awareness, vowing to educate parents and children, help prevent all violence in schools and homes, and combat gun violence in schools through laws and policy changes.
When asked what the Start With Hello Week means to her, Renaissance President Charlotte Coulter (’25) said, “We celebrate [Start with Hello Week] to show that we care about the students at our school and to unify our school as one.”
“The whole point is to prevent people from feeling alone and left out,” added fellow Renaissance member, Vice President Coralie Cambron (’25). “If we participate and get everyone to participate, people are able to connect, find out new things, and figure out things they have in common with others”
The culminating activity at the end of the week was The Pledge. Shadow Hills students signed the Sandy Hook Pledge which states, I pledge to myself on this very day, to try to be kind, in every way. To every person, big or small, I will help them, if they fall. When I love myself and others too, that is the best that I can do.
“People aren’t scary, they’re actually pretty darn nice,” explained Mrs. Wallis, the Renaissance teacher. She helped manage “Start With Hello Week.”
She explained that the students have been working on the spirit week since the beginning of school.
Wallis has seen a change since integrating Start With Hello Week into Shadow’s fall activities. She said she’s seen the impact it has on students, that they’re more willing to socialize with one another, and participate in the activities.
“I want to let [students] know that we are here, and want everyone to feel like they belong on this campus,” she said.
