On Friday, September 5th, Surry County Schools hosted their annual Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Summit at Surry Community College. Featuring every school in the district, the SAVE Promise Summit focused on building positive relationships, connections between students, and allowed for ideas to be reflected upon and developed into future planning for Surry County’s benefit. This marks the district’s third year of implementing SAVE Promise Clubs.
The summit provided an opportunity for students to share the positive impact they are making through their SAVE Promise Clubs and report on initiatives that promote kindness and inclusion in their schools. Students discussed projects and collaborated with other clubs to develop ideas that will benefit their school communities throughout the school year.
“Surry County Schools partners with Sandy Hook Promise for our tip line and these clubs. For our students, SAVE Promise Clubs allow them to be part of something bigger — something bigger than they know. These experiences help them grow as leaders and changemakers in their schools. With this event, students are helping carry forward the legacy of Surry County while also shaping a safer and more supportive future for each other,” said Jodi Southern, Student Services Coordinator.
SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Clubs provide a space for students to show their leadership, creativity, and passion for protecting their peers, schools, and communities from violence. SAVE Promise Clubs are student-led and, therefore, a powerful and empowering approach to violence prevention. Through SAVE Promise Clubs, students organize activities and initiatives that reinforce important lessons learned from Sandy Hook Promise’s programs, Say Something and Start With Hello. SAVE Promise Clubs create a culture of upstanders who look out for one another-creating safer classrooms, schools and communities.
“The SAVE Promise Summit is an incredible opportunity for our students to lead with others, build connections, and strengthen the culture of kindness throughout Surry County Schools,” said Dr. Travis L. Reeves, Superintendent of Surry County Schools.
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About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
About SAVE Promise
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club is a student-led organization in elementary, middle, and high schools that encourages youth to take charge of keeping schools safe by teaching, modeling, and continually reinforcing the key messages of Start with Hello and Say Something. Each SAVE Promise Club receives tools and resources to plan events, activities, and projects that promote kindness, inclusiveness, and the value of looking out for one another.