As part of the Sandy Hook Promise in Ohio schools to promote social inclusion, West Geauga schools along with other districts participated in…
Start With Hello
As part of the Sandy Hook Promise in Ohio schools to promote social inclusion, West Geauga schools along with other districts participated in national “It Starts with Hello” week. The program is directed at students in the second through twelfth grade to create a climate of connectedness within the school.
The Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Conn., and led by families whose loved ones were killed in the in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012. Tragically, 20 first-graders and six educators died.
Casey Durkin, Sandy Hook presenter, broke it down into three basic steps: See, Reach Out and Start With Hello.
“I can see you are very good at the first step, after listening to Westwood Elemen-tary share their experiences,” said Durkin.
“You can initiate a conversation with someone by giving them a written note,” commented Westwood Elementary School Principal Denise Brewster, adding that she has a drawer full of handwritten notes from people, which she has collected and saved over the past 17 years.
Mary Shumway, case management director in the Geauga County Juvenile Court, and Annie Stephens, Sandy Hook Promise Organizer of Northeast Ohio, are diligently working with the schools in Geauga County.
“Social isolation is becoming more prevalent in schools and communities,” said Shumway. “Most of the kids who come through our courts are bullied and picked on.”
Both Shumway and Stephens stated that technology today is creating far more socially isolated children.
“It’s happening at an alarming younger age and its startling. We want kids to feel empowered to help build connections with others,” said Stephens.
Westwood Elementary teachers and guidance counselors are reinforcing this through character lessons during read aloud sessions, Human Bingo, In My Shoes, Helping Hands and Random Acts of Kindness.
“These activities will help all students identify ways in which they can build positive relationships with their peers and feel more connected,” said Stephens.
Message From Superintendent Richard Markwardt
West Geauga Parents/Guardians:
We will soon begin discussions related to the topic of grade level elementary buildings as a possible alternative to two K-5 buildings. The West Geauga Board of Education and administration are preparing to involve staff, parents, and residents in those discussions now that the initial feasibility issues related to space, transportation, etc. have been examined.
The board has not made a decision about building reconfiguration at this point. It is however studying the possibility. Several educationally-compelling reasons support the decision to explore reconfiguration of the elementary schools. If reconfiguration occurs, it will most likely take the form of one k-2 building and one 3-5 building. It is expected that the middle school and high school would retain their current grade configurations.
I am scheduling meetings to discuss the potential reconfiguration topic with various elements of the community. The meeting dates and times follow.
Parents of Elementary Students – West Geauga High School, lecture room 124, Feb. 29, 7 p.m.
District Residents- West Geauga Middle School, cafeteria, March 9, 7 p.m.
As a parent and a resident, please feel welcome to attend one or both of the meetings scheduled for Feb. 29 and March 9. Thank you for your interest and involvement in our schools.
