Programs aim to show Galion students they are not alone

NEWS RELEASE:

GALION- The Galion Primary and Intermediate Schools will participate in the national Start with Hello Week Feb. 5-9. Start with Hello week was started by a group of parents following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary to help kids understand they are not alone and to teach kids to reach out to those who are sitting alone, eating alone, playing alone or not playing at all.

“This is a very important week for our students and staff,” said Carly George, Galion School Social Worker. “Each day, students will be engaged in different activities to help them remember that they aren’t alone and there are people who truly care about them.”

Throughout the week, students at Galion Intermediate School will learn to say “Hello” in different languages, perform random acts of kindness for others and participate in a poster making contest.

Galion Primary School students will also learn to say “hello” in different languages, they will develop examples of how to be kind to others and sign a pledge that they will be kind to others and invite them to do things with them if they are alone.

“These activities are important because they not only include all kids for that week but teach kids about including kids always,” said George. “We want all kids to feel included, loved and safe while they are at school.”

Following Start with Hello Week, Galion Primary School students will host residents from Signature Healthcare for lunch Monday, Feb. 12. No One Eats Alone Day recognizes that sometimes students eat alone and that those individuals need to be asked to share a meal with other students.

“I am very proud of Mrs. George for taking the initiative to work with our Primary and Intermediate School students and staff to organize these wonderful events,” said Jim Grubbs, Galion Superintendent. “I would encourage families to discuss these events with their children, help them plan random acts of kindness and talk about how their child can include more kids in their daily activities at school and outside school.”

Visit https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/startwithhelloweek to learn more about Start with Hello Week. Contact School Social Worker Carly George at george.carly@galionschools.org for additional details about Start with Hello Week activities in Galion and No One Eats Alone Day.