SCHOOLS CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING YEAR-ROUND
Everybody needs somebody ; and when people don ’ t have that somebody , it can take a toll on their well-being .
To focus on the power of connectedness , kindness and helping one another , Mansfield ISD schools and departments collectively participated in Start With Hello Week .
The week is a nationwide initiative that was started by Sandy Hook Promise , a nonprofit organization led by several family members who lost loved ones at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting . The organization ’ s mission is to prevent violence by teaching empathy and empowering students to end social isolation .
Mansfield ISD held its Start with Hello Week Aug . 30 through Sept . 2 . During those days , students and staff were more intentional about noticing and welcoming others through various activities .
“ Every day this week has been a different dress-up day and a different challenge for students , so today is ‘ Crazy Hair Day ’— crazy for kindness ,” said Lauren Knox , counselor at Linda Jobe Middle School .
Knox said in advisory class with their social-emotional learning ( SEL ) groups , students brainstormed random acts of kindness they can do on campus or in the community . They shared those ideas aloud in class and were challenged to do three random acts that day .
“ It ’ s about making kids at the school feel welcome so that nobody feels like they have to hide , nobody feels like they don ’ t have any friends ,” said Katie Keating , an eighth grader at Jobe Middle School . “ I think we all kind
During ‘ Crazy Hair Day ’ at Jobe Middle School , students got into groups to discuss how they can spread kindness .
Students at the Tarver-Rendon School of Agricultural Leadership made “ Hello ” posters to introduce themselves and make their peers feel more welcome .
of tend to stay in our little friend groups , and I think it ’ s sometimes nice to reach outside of your friend groups and be like , ‘ Hey ! Do you want to sit with us ?’”
This is the first year Mansfield ISD has held a districtwide Start with Hello Week . Organizers noted that it ’ s a great launch to the rest of the social-emotional learning lessons and initiatives that are in store , like the Hope Squad program that helps kids who may be struggling or at risk of harming themselves .
Staff members noted that keeping these lessons throughout the year has been key to cultivating a more welcoming learning environment year-round .
“ We know that when children are connected — and they find things in common with each other — they ’ re less likely to bully each other ,” said Michelle Sykes , counselor at Imogene Gideon Elementary School . “ My goal is for the kids to be productive citizens as they grow up and in life .”
Sykes said strategies like encouraging students to sit with different friends , starting conversations and being kind to one another has made a huge difference in the school ’ s culture . She added that lessons that teach students how to tell an adult if a concerning incident occurs has been integral as well .
MANSFIELDTODAY 17