North Royalton Elementary, Middle and High Schools joined schools across the country in celebrating Hello Week beginning Monday, August 25. The program, part of the Sandy Hook Promise initiative and in alignment with Ohio House Bill 123 requirements for prevention education, was designed to reduce social isolation and help students feel connected to their school community.
Throughout the week, students and staff took part in daily activities that reinforced kindness, empathy, and school spirit:
Monday, August 25: At the high school, they followed an assembly schedule as students watched the Start with Hello video and learned about the purpose and history of the program.
Tuesday, August 26: The Hello Buddies program was introduced in every class at the high school. Each student was paired with a buddy who could provide support if they were absent, ease anxiety about returning to class, and build peer-to-peer connections. This initiative will continue throughout the school year, with refreshers to keep the program active.
Wednesday, August 27: High school students signed the Hello Pledge during lunch, committing to making their school a more inclusive place. Photos were shared on social media to spread awareness. Additionally, every district employee wore NoRo Starts With Hello shirts, provided through a sponsorship from the North Royalton Educational Foundation.
Thursday, August 28: The high school hosted a Wear Green Contest, since green is the official color of Start with Hello. Each third-period class took a group photo, with the winning class receiving a Crumbl party. Students also submitted individual photos through Google Classroom, and the most spirited student—chosen by staff—won a $50 Amazon gift card.
At the middle school, students participated in Classmate Connections by assigning Hello Buddies and practicing with them. This 20–30 minute activity was completed in all classes using a provided script. Sixth graders also attended a FLEX time grade-level assembly.
Friday, August 29: The week wrapped up with a Spirit Wear Day, as high school students and staff wore North Royalton gear to celebrate school pride and unity.
At the middle school, grade-level assemblies were held during FLEX times for 5th, 7th, and 8th graders. These assemblies reinforced the themes of connection, kindness, and student leadership.
While the themed activities took place during the week, the heart of Hello Week lay in the year-round Hello Buddies program. By pairing students together in every class, the program helped ensure that no student felt alone, left out, or unsupported.
North Royalton Elementary School celebrated Hello Week a little later in the fall, giving students time to first learn the fundamentals of the program. Counselors, together with NRES media-tech aides, introduced students to the program by teaching the three simple steps:
See someone alone…Reach out and help…and Start with hello. The goal is to ensure that every student feels included at school and that no one is left without a friend. To support this effort, the school’s former leadership group, The Kindness Council, will be renamed Hello Buddies. This group of 2nd through 4th-grade students will serve as kindness ambassadors throughout the year. Their first project will be creating a kindness rock garden, inspired by the lessons of the program and designed to spread positivity across the school campus.
“We want a strong academic program that is matched with the development of our students as productive members of society,” said Superintendent Michael Laub, North Royalton City Schools. “Their experiences inside and outside of the classroom will only be enhanced if they feel like they are an important part of our school community. Positive culture needs to be intentionally developed, and this is a program that helps to do that.”
