To help promote awareness of Sandy Hook Promise's Say Something campaign and to recognize National School Violence Prevention Week (April 24th-28th), several schools recently participated in our district's Student Voices contest. Schools that have registered SAVE Promise Clubs were asked to provide pictures or video evidence and a written description of the activities they are undertaking to promote safe and welcoming environments.
SAVE Promise Clubs represent our continued partnership with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation and provide a voice for student leaders who are interested in making a difference when it comes to school safety. Prizes for this year's contest were awarded for 1st place ($1,000), 2nd place ($750), 3rd place ($500), and 4th place ($250).
This year's winners are:
1st Place - Daughtrey Elementary School - The Daughtrey SAVE Club focused on spreading a message of kindness throughout the school, using morning announcements, wall art, and conversations in classroom community-building circles. Check out this video put together by student leaders and club sponsors: Cassie D'Addeo, Michele Bocock, and Jan Alvarez.
2nd Place - Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School - Like Daughtrey, Rogers Garden is in its second year of operating a club and is very active throughout the year. Club sponsor Regina Boyd and her students put together a video featuring activities they have led at school.
3rd Place - Witt Elementary School - Under the direction of sponsors Kim Roberson-Hoy and Amy Lindsey, the Witty Kids Club and Eagle Patrol combined forces this year to become the designated SAVE Club at Witt. In addition to various chalk murals, students built a "Promise Garden" to develop kindness and compassion. They dedicated it to former student Lexi Brown, who was lost to gun violence a decade ago.
4th Place (Tie) - Tara Elementary School - The student council and Art Club come together as the SAVE Promise Club for Tara Elementary and are led by faculty sponsors Alexandra Miranda and Jennifer Schulte. This group of student leaders built Buddy Benches to help students feel included and know there is a safe place to go if they need someone to talk with. Students also brought messages of safety and inclusion by painting murals on classroom doors and throughout the school. Check out the work of these student leaders.
4th Place (Tie) - Palmetto High School - The Palmetto High School SAVE Club began operation this year. To help celebrate a culture of safety, faculty sponsor Barbara Brunner helped students organize a Law Enforcement Celebration Day on campus. Officers and deputies from multiple law enforcement agencies were on hand to interact with students and share their messages on how to create a more safe school environment.
Thanks to Dr. Skip Wilhoit for submitting this Good News.