GREENSBORO, NC -- Kernodle Middle School is saying hello and making sure every student hears it. The Guilford County School is participating in a national initiative to make sure every student feels included.
"Start With Hello Week" brings attention to social isolation and empowers young people to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school. It's part of the Sandy Hook Promise campaign.
The school is asking both parents and kids to get involved in a week-long celebration of inclusion. On Monday students and staff wore nametags. The rest of the week's events include a positivity wall on Tuesday, "parents say hello day," where community members will greet students before the bell rings, Thursday is "no one sits alone at lunch day" and Friday they'll celebrate with a slideshow of the week's events.
Principal Thea McHam, who's been at the school for 10 years, says she wants every student to feel welcome.
"It’s important because we want all students to be recognized. We don’t want anyone to sit in the classrooms and feel lonely or feel like they don’t have any friends. We want everyone to know that all students are important and that everyone needs to be recognized throughout the school day," McHam said.
If you want to be involved in "Start With Hello Week" at Kernodle you can welcome students to school on Wednesday. Just arrive before 8:15 a.m.