Page 27 - November Banner 2018_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper November 2018 Page 27
Star t With Hello

Theresa Dardanell

See someone alone. Photo by Theresa Dardanell school community closer
Reach out and help. together. Additionally,
Start With Hello! In the activities allowed
September, Frederick students to see the benefits
County Public Schools of reaching out to other
(FCPS) participated in students who they may
the third annual Sandy not typically interact with.
Hook Promise Start With I can’t thank our students,
Hello Week. This national staff, and community
anti-violence campaign members enough for all
encourages students to of their efforts in making
reduce social isolation with Start with Hello week
acts of kindness that starts such a success.”
with just saying hello.
Schools created activities Thurmont Elementary
to promote a welcoming School
and inclusive place for all Starting the Day by saying “Hello” at Thurmont Elementary School: Dr. Keith Harris, FCPS executive director of Accelerating Students at Thurmont
students. Achievement & Equity; Debra O’Donnell, TES principal; students, Adania Kreitz, Darby Carson, Carolyn Mercer, Claire Daly, Tyler Elementary School
McCallion, Chase Jackson, Summer Bostic, Tristan Lease, Shalini Weitzel, Warren Schafer; and Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird.
especially enjoyed having
Catoctin High School community members greet
Catoctin High School (CHS) students started the week by decorating them in the mornings during the week. Special guests included directors
outside the cafeteria with slogans to promote the Sandy Hook Promise from the FCPS central office; Mayor John Kinnaird; Keyote, the Frederick
Campaign. On “Hey Day Thursday,” students and staff were given name Keys mascot; athletes and cheerleaders from Catoctin High School; members
tags and the challenge was to greet new people. Representatives from the of the Thurmont Police Department; Boy Scout Leaders; and employees of
Mental Health Association distributed information, and students were given the local Kountry Kitchen restaurant. Activities during the week were geared
the opportunity to sign up for the Out of the Darkness Walk. A team will toward making all students feel welcome. They had daily ice breakers during
represent CHS during this walk at Baker Park. On “Green Out Friday,” lunch and courtesy lessons on how to introduce yourself to a new person.
students and staff wore green in support of the campaign, and a group Darby Carson said, “It helps people and makes them feel like they matter. I
picture was taken of students spelling out “Hello” on the baseball field. think we should keep doing it and let that legacy live on.” Claire Daly said,
School Social Worker Debbie Wivell said, “It was wonderful to see many “It is helpful for those kids who don’t have a lot of friends. They won’t be
students and staff participate in the Hey Day. This early in the year, teachers so lonely.” Tyler McCallion said, “Once you get to know people more, you
and students are still getting to know each other and this is important. Green realize you could be really good friends.” Shalina Weitzel said, “Start With
Out day was also a success.” Hello Week makes us feel inspired to help other kids.” School Counselor
Tammy Brotman said, “I think this is a really important message to give our
Thurmont Middle School students. Having Start with Hello Week gives students both the opportunity
Students at Thurmont Middle School (TMS) had lots of opportunities but most of all the courage to try reaching out to others. We are trying to
to connect with each other. On “Hey Day Monday,” they started by saying build a culture of kindness, and this is a great way to continue to support
hello to new people. The challenge on Tuesday was to make sure no one that goal and really make it a genuine part of what we’re about at TES.”
sat alone at lunch. TMS student Charlotte Bradley said, “I really liked the
lunch activity of not sitting alone, where we sat with students based on Sabillasville Elementary School
our interests. The lunch activity seemed to really encourage inclusiveness Sabillasville Elementary School (SES) students started the week with
and connectedness with students that we don’t normally talk to.” School one important word: Hello. On Tuesday, they wore clothing that displayed
Counselors Becky Krauss and Sherry Bueso agreed that Wednesday’s activity something about themselves so that they could learn about each other. School
was also very successful. They said, “We are thinking that the positive post- Counselor Niki Kayser said, “The students and staff really enjoyed sharing
it-notes were the most successful because most of our students participated why they chose the shirt they did. It encouraged them to learn a little more
in their classes. Students left positive, encouraging messages on their desks about their peers’ interests.” Students performed random acts of kindness
to be received by the next student sitting there.” The challenge on Friday on Wednesday and participated in special activities on Thursday and Friday.
was to perform a random act of kindness for a teacher or student. Principal Kayser said that she received positive feedback from staff and students and
Daniel Enck said, “The various activities that our students, staff, and heard the comment, “It’s important to be kind all the time!” many times
community members participated in throughout the week helped bring our during the week. She also said, “I feel this message is wonderful! It’s a simple
way to help create a more connected and inclusive school community. This
message reminds us to encourage and support one another on a daily basis,
and to understand how important it is to help students learn how to be
accepting of others and to see that all it takes to make a difference is just a
few simple words.”
Emmitsburg Elementary School
Emmitsburg Elementary School (EES) will be incorporating the idea of
friendship throughout the school year to support the Leader In Me Positive
Behavior Intervention System. Activities for the week included wearing
green on Monday, signing a school banner on Tuesday, breakfast buddies on
Wednesday, sharing stickers on Thursday, and making posters on Friendship
Friday. School Counselor Sarah Fawley said, “The students really enjoyed
working with other students in making their posters. They enjoyed the
morning greeters in the front lobby, who greeted students with ‘hello’ and
passed out stickers and pencils.” She said that students were more aware of
others; they invited other students to sit with them at lunch.
Fawley also said, “This message is very important. There is so much
power in five little letters (Hello) that can impact someone’s day or life
forever.”