Peasley Middle School students in DeDe Driver’s EIB classes planned and organized a Start With Hello Week at their school and won a plaque and $500 for their efforts. 

The award is from Sandy Hook Promise, an organization founded and led by family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. It promotes programs and practices that protect children from gun violence.

Among the suggested activities is Start With Hello Week conducted during a designated week in February. The goal is to combat social isolation by teaching students skills in reaching out to and including those who may be dealing with social isolation and creating a culture of inclusion and connectedness.

Driver and her students participated in the week last year, with positive results from the Peasley student body and staff. This year they continued the program and expanded on it, winning a runner-up award from Sandy Hook Promise for school spirit and sustainability.

In planni...