Broadview Middle School stands together for Sandy Hook Promise

Student body forms SHP logo on school field              

Some 1,200 students and staff from Broadview Middle School stood together on Friday morning to form the logo for “Say Something,” a program created to help students prevent violence and other threatening behavior.

Principal Edward Robbs, Mark Barden of SHP, and Mayor Mark Boughton spoke to students about the commitment they were making. The Danbury Fire Department showed its support by providing a hook and ladder to take aerial photos of the formation.

“Say Something” instructs students in grades six through 12 how to look for warning signs, signals and threats, particularly in social media, from an individual who may be threatening to hurt themselves or others and to say something to a trusted adult to get help.

Robbs read the promise before the students took their positions Friday: “I understand that by telling a trusted adult when I see, hear or read a threat of violence to others or to self-harm, I can help protect the community and prevent tragedy. Therefore: I promise to do my part to keep my school and community safe; and I pledge to SAY SOMETHING to a trust adult if I see, read or hear a threat of violence in person or online.”

Students were asked to “Wear Green for Say Something” day. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in a mass shooting at a Newtown elementary school in December 2012.

Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella, who serves as president of the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents, has implemented “Say Something” and “Start with Hello,” programs from SHP that focus on preventing violence, suicide and fear-inducing threats before they happen.

Pascarella has also encouraged implementation of the programs at schools across Connecticut. School districts are also invited to join statewide Call-to-Action weeks where schools from all over the country come together to educate students and communities. “Start with Hello” call-to-action week begins Jan. 25, 2016. He said the programs are easy to implement through flexible classroom format, school assembly or by student ambassadors. The programs can also be incorporated into an existing student club or by creating a new club that focuses on community kindness and safety.

Schools will have access to ongoing SHP trainings and digital access to programs, resources and materials.