Students across the Los Alamitos Unified School District participated in "Start With Hello Week," a district-wide initiative focused on strengthening connections and fostering a sense of belonging within school communities. The effort displayed a commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and connected at school.
During the week, teachers and peers greeted students at campus front gates, holding signs that conveyed welcoming messages like, “It’s great to see you!” and “Hello” in various languages. This simple message aimed to reinforce that students belong on campus.
Start With Hello Week is part of a national initiative by the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise. The program encourages students to identify social isolation, reach out to those who may feel alone or excluded, and work towards building more connected school environments.
Led by wellness counselors across Los Alamitos Unified’s nine campuses, the week provided both students and staff with opportunities to actively implement these lessons. At elementary schools, students crafted posters to welcome their peers. Teachers and staff greeted students upon arrival, and throughout the week, students were encouraged to interact with classmates they might not typically engage with.
At Los Alamitos High School, wellness counselor Emily Ledterman collaborated with the student-led psychology and wellness club to broaden student involvement in the initiative. Staff members wore special shirts for the campaign, and both students and teachers were prompted to engage in conversations centered on kindness and connection.
This initiative aligns with a broader district-wide goal for staff: to help students establish meaningful connections at school. These connections can be found through various avenues, such as sports, performing arts programs, clubs, or simply through relationships with peers or trusted adults.
Los Alamitos Unified has engaged in Start With Hello for several years. Ledterman indicated that Los Alamitos High School now plans to implement the campaign twice each semester. The district also aims to expand the initiative's frequency at its elementary and middle schools, with students taking on increased leadership roles in organizing activities.
Ledterman affirmed, “The impact of having one person recognize and say hello to you could change someone’s day.” She added that the district’s teachers are instrumental in making these connections with students, setting a positive tone.
Beyond Start With Hello, the district is also promoting connection through its Unified program. This program includes unified games held during lunch breaks and a unified drama program. Both are designed to bring together students from general and special education, creating opportunities for shared experiences.
Los Alamitos Unified Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver noted that the week serves as a valuable reminder of the district’s daily aspirations for its schools. Pulver stated that kindness is “woven into the DNA of Los Alamitos Unified” and is reflected in care, which is the district's first core value. He concluded that Start With Hello Week provides an opportunity to highlight the ongoing goal of ensuring every student feels seen, valued, included, and knows they belong across all schools.