Start With Hello Week
September 21–25 is Start With Hello Week, and once again, we're inviting Carlinville's business community to join our schools in helping create a community where everyone feels seen, welcomed and included.
Start With Hello is a Sandy Hook Promise program that teaches students how to recognize social isolation and how something as simple as reaching out and saying hello can help someone feel connected.
While much of that work happens inside our schools, we believe the message reaches far beyond them.
Our students are part of our entire community. The kind of place they grow up in is shaped not only by what happens in their classrooms, but by the people, businesses and organizations they encounter every day. And when we talk about creating a safer, more connected community, that's something all of us have a role in.
This year, there are several simple ways businesses can be part of Start With Hello Week:
Say Hello to Students
Businesses and community members are invited to help greet students as they arrive at school during Start With Hello Week.
Contact Jessica Ryan 217-556-7531 to sign up for a morning to greet.
Join Our Community Hello Video
We're creating a community video filled with hellos from businesses, organizations and familiar faces throughout Carlinville.
Grab your staff, record a quick hello from your business and send your video to Karin at 618-410-3942 by September 18.
It doesn't need to be fancy. A simple, enthusiastic hello is perfect!
Join Us Monday Morning
We'll kick off Start With Hello Week on Monday, September 21 with a special green ribbon cutting at CHS in front of the flag pole at 8:45am.
We'd love to have members of our business community there as we begin a week centered around something remarkably simple: making sure people know they belong.
Start With Hello begins at school, but its message belongs to all of us.
When our students see business owners, employees, community leaders and neighbors showing up alongside their teachers and families, they're seeing what it looks like to live in a community that cares about one another.
And sometimes, that really can start with a simple hello.
Wear Green Wednesday
Encourage your team to wear green on Wednesday, September 23 in support of Start With Hello Week.
It's an easy way for businesses throughout Carlinville to visibly show students that their community is behind them.
Make Your Business a “Hello Starts Here” Place
Help carry the message throughout Carlinville by decorating your business for Start With Hello Week! Use “Hello Starts Here” as your inspiration and have some fun with it.
A window display, sidewalk sign, green decorations or your own creative idea can help remind students and everyone who passes by that they are part of a community where people notice one another, reach out and say hello.
“Hello” ROCKS!
Carlinville students are helping bring Start With Hello Week into businesses throughout our community by hand-painting special “Hello” ROCKS!
Participating businesses will receive a rock painted by a student. During Start With Hello Week, hide your rock somewhere inside your business and invite customers and visitors to find it.
When someone finds your “Hello” ROCK and brings it to an employee, consider offering a small prize, treat, discount or another fun surprise!
It's a simple way to get customers involved in the week while sharing the message of connection and belonging beyond the walls of our schools.
Show Your Carlinville Colors on Friday
On Friday, September 25, wear Carlinville red and blue for Team Day!
The theme is “We’re All on the Same Team” and businesses are encouraged to join students and staff by wearing Carlinville colors.
It’s a simple way to close out Start With Hello Week with a message that reaches beyond the school: we’re all in this together.
