Sheffield and Plymouth, Mass. — Mount Everett Regional School student ambassadors Irit Blaugrund, Jonathan Fredsall, and Maryn Schoonmaker joined Assistant High School Principal Julie Steuernagle and Administrative Assistant Michelle Castellano at the Sandy Hook Promise Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Youth Leadership Workshop in Plymouth, Mass., on March 4, where they explored the organization’s programs, Start With Hello, which aims to minimize social isolation, and Say Something, a program that focuses on how students can stop bullying in their schools. Both programs work to aid students and staff in their mission to foster more inclusive school environments.
“This workshop was a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to explore what else we can be doing in our schools to help create a stronger and more supportive environment for everyone,” said Superintendent Dr. Regulbuto. “We are focused on giving all of our students a voice to lead these essential discussions in our schools, and I was thrilled to hear that each of them came back feeling empowered with new ideas to share with our community.”
The Sandy Hook Promise is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2013 following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. The organization introduces schools to unique programs that aim to help prevent violence in schools and introduces school leaders and students to resources and new ideas to help them foster more safe, connected, and inclusive school communities.
“This experience was incredibly valuable, as it allowed us to partner with members from other schools and explore ways we could begin implementing the SAVE Promise Club into our schools,” said Castellano. “The workshop also introduced us to activities that can be used to promote kindness, such as No One Eats Alone Day.”
After the workshop, the student ambassadors were asked to share a few ideas that Southern Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD) could incorporate to help foster a more inclusive environment at SBRSD. The students shared several ideas including spreading positive messages throughout the school through handwritten cards, sharing information about the benefits of the Sandy Hook programs through flyers, and presenting more district-wide opportunities that allow students to connect and create community with students at different grade levels.
“In addition to this workshop, Mount Everett has scheduled an assembly for March 27, where our student SAVE Promise Club Ambassadors will lead and present the information they learned from the workshop to all middle and high school students,” said Regulbuto. “We understand that this kind of work is ongoing, but we are dedicated and committed to working together to continue to make our schools safe and supportive for all students, staff, and families.”
For more information about SBRSD’s commitment to safety and kindness, visit the district’s website. For more information about the district in general contact Superintendent Dr. Beth Regulbuto, bregulbuto@sbrsd.org.
