Westerville Central’s School Resource Officer Joe Graham is working to develop personal relationships with all students.
Westerville City Schools has launched a pilot program called Say Something at Walnut Springs Middle School and Westerville Central High School, with the purpose of empowering young people to say something and save lives. In partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national, nonprofit organization led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Say Something teaches students in middle and high school how to look for warning signs, signals and threats - especially in social media - from individuals who may want to hurt themselves or others and to say something to a trusted adult to get them help.
The program is based on research conducted by Dr. Dewey Cornell and Dr. Reid Meloy, two leading national experts in threat assessment and intervention. When it comes to violence, suicide and threats, most are known by at least one other individual before the incident takes place. In fact, in four out of five school shootings, the attacker told people of his/her plans ahead of time. Additionally, 7 out of 10 people who complete suicide told someone of their plans or gave some type of warning or indication. Say Something raises awareness and educates students and the community through training, media events, advertising, public proclamations, contests and awards.
Last week at Walnut Springs Middle School, Sandy Hook Promise representative Andre Elliott conducted a series of assemblies, reassuring students that schools are safe, but saying that no school is immune to violence, suicide or threats. It’s up to everyone in the school – teachers, principals and students – to create a safer environment. The first thing pupils can do, he advised, is be aware of peers who may be hurting. “Find a way to connect with them and eliminate social isolation,” he said. “Everyone should be on the lookout for signs of trouble.” Elliott outlined different kinds of warning signs and signals, where to find them, and how to approach a trusted adult to share concerns. He told the students not to assume that someone else will act. Doing so can put a whole community at risk. Walnut Springs also held a door decorating contest, activity tables, and a day when everyone wore green to bring attention to the cause.
Elliott also spoke at Westerville Central, where daily announcements were made, a video was shown, Safe School Helpline magnets were distributed, and students could quiz themselves during lunch and compete in a Jeopardy-like game. The staff there signed a “trusted adult” banner and students signed a Say Something promise banner. They, too, hosted a “wear green” day and had the chance to meet and mingle with trusted adults in the school community, including police officers. Each day’s activities promoted, educated and reinforced the main concepts of the Say Something program.
Learn more at www.sandyhookpromise.org.