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Friendship starts with a simple ‘hello’ at Lynbrook middle schools

Students at Lynbrook South Middle School made new friends at the photobooth during Start With Hello Week from Sept. 15-19. thumbnail267669
2) At North Middle School, Nicolette Pellizzi, Connor Demetrius and Genevieve Durand started the day with a “hello.” thumbnail267670
3) Nicholas Chico, Aahil Hussain and Anthony Bonfa made stick notes with positive messages for their North Middle peers. thumbnail267671
South Middle sixth graders worked with social worker Amanda Pustorino on a “welcome walk” made of painted shells. thumbnail267672

New friends were made at Lynbrook North and South middle schools as students promoted unity and stood against social isolation during Start With Hello Week from Sept. 15-19. 

The mission of Start With Hello Week is to honor the Sandy Hook Foundation’s promise to bring awareness to the impact of social isolation, with the goal to help all students identify when peers may be feeling isolated and improve their connections. To start off the week, students in both buildings wore name tags and introduced themselves to new faces. They heard about the importance of identifying a trusted adult on Tuesday and posed with props for “Wear a Smile Wednesday.” In sixth grade classes, support staff spoke with students about social isolation. At South, sixth graders worked with social worker Amanda Pustorino to create a “welcome walk” pathway lined with painted shells with welcome messages at the building’s entrance. 

 

Date Added: 9/19/2025