Sandy Hook Promise To Teach Poway Students About Inclusion

POWAY, CA – A Newtown, Conn.-based nonprofit focusing on preventing gun violence will host two rallies Thursday at Del Norte High School to educate students on how to identify and alleviate social isolation and at-risk social behavior.

Nicole Hockley co-founded Sandy Hook Promise in 2012 after 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School were killed by a school shooter. Hockley's son Dylan was one of the shooting victims. Starting at 8:10 a.m., Hockley and other representatives from Sandy Hook Promise will teach Del Norte students about social isolation and "how to identify, assess, and intervene if they see someone demonstrating at-risk behaviors," according to the Poway Unified School District.

The rallies are part of Sandy Hook Promise's fourth annual Start With Hello week, which is an effort by the organization to promote inclusion among students. Sandy Hook Promise is also holding Start With Hello programs at schools districts in Broward County, Fla. and Corpus Christi, Texas.

"Every year we receive amazing feedback from schools participating in Start With Hello Week, from how easy and fun it is to implement, to how much the students love it and the positive impacts they are experiencing as a result," Hockley said. "While Start With Hello and creating inclusive, connected school communities has many social benefits, we also know that chronic social isolation can lead to acts of violence and self-harm."

Superintendent Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps and members of the Poway School Board are expected to attend the event. According to Poway Unified, the event is the beginning of a three-year agreement between the district and Sandy Hook Promise to teach students across the district about the prevention of social isolation.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock