What is Start with Hello
This nonprofit organization, founded by families of victims of a 2012 elementary school tragedy, created the "Start With Hello" program.
What is Sandy Hook Promise
Step 1 of the program asks students to pay attention to their surroundings and do this when they notice a peer sitting by themselves.
What is "See Someone Alone"?
This core human ability—to understand and share the feelings of another person—is the foundational skill taught across all three steps.
What is the cafeteria (or lunchroom)?
Pairing a verbal greeting with this friendly facial expression helps make a classmate feel instantly welcomed and seen.
What is a SMILE!
WORTH DOUBLE!
The acronym SAVE stands for "Students Against Violence Everywhere," which leads these student clubs that sustain "Start With Hello" year-round.
What are SAVE Promise Clubs
"Start With Hello" was designed to address and prevent this primary issue, defined as the feeling of being left out, lonely, or disconnected from others.
What is social isolation
Step 2 of the program encourages students to take initiative and do this to bridge the gap between themselves and a lonely classmate.
What is "Reach Out and Help"?
Slouching, avoiding eye contact, and keeping one's head down are examples of this non-verbal indicator of social isolation.
What is Body Language
If a student notices a peer showing extreme distress, severe isolation, or signs of self-harm, they should immediately report it to one of these people.
What is a Trusted Adult
Research shows that creating connected, inclusive school environments directly helps reduce instances of this repeated, harmful behavior.
What is bullying
Held annually every September, this nationwide awareness week encourages schools to celebrate empathy, connection, and inclusion.
What is Start With Hello Week?
Step 3 gives the program its name and focuses on taking this specific action to break the ice and start a conversation.
What is "Start With Hello"?
When a student consistently pulls away from group activities, sports, or class discussions, they are showing signs of this behavior.
What is Social Withdrawal
Inviting a classmate who is alone to join a group project, sit at a lunch table, or play at recess promotes this value of togetherness.
What is Inclusion
Because "Start With Hello" focuses on reaching students before a crisis occurs, it is categorized as a key measure in this broader educational effort
What is violence prevention (or school safety)?
Instead of being a passive bystander who ignores isolation, "Start With Hello" teaches students to be this type of person who takes action to help others.
What is an upstander?
WORTH DOUBLE!!!
Asking open-ended questions like "What’s your favorite game?" serves as one of these helpful tools to keep a conversation going.
What is an icebreaker?
This form of isolation occurs online when a student is intentionally excluded from group chats, video games, or social media tags.
What is cyber/digital isolation?
Writing an encouraging message on a sticky note and leaving it on a peer's desk is an example of a random act of this.
What is Kindness?
Student ambassadors who organize "Start With Hello" activities demonstrate this leadership quality by inspiring their peers to take action.
What is initiative (or youth leadership)?
Sandy Hook Promise provides the "Start With Hello" training, digital materials, and curriculum to schools for this dollar amount.
What is $0
This core human ability—to understand and share the feelings of another person—is the foundational skill taught across all three steps.
What is Empathy
Long-term social isolation can lead to negative impacts on physical health as well as this critical area of overall well-being.
What is Mental Health
By greeting peers every day, students help transform their school culture into one defined by this sense of connection and acceptance.
What is Belonging
In addition to elementary and middle schools, "Start With Hello" offers tailored curriculum adaptations for students in these upper grades.