#STARTS WITH HELLO: FAB FIFTH GRADERS COMBAT SOCIAL ISOLATION
Student: A rerun is a television show that is shown over and over again. Some television shows like I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, the Brady Bunch, Everybody Loves Raymond & Friends have become classics, programs that will live on forever because they have been shown throughout the years to new generations of people to enjoy. Many say, they even like these shows better the second, third, fourth or fortieth time around.
Student: So sit back, relax and enjoy our rerun or shall we say our encore presentation of Starts with Hello. We made a few revisions and we hope you enjoy our show even more the second time around!
Jack: (enters & recites his original Starts with Hello poem—while cast assists with Starts with Hello lines):
He was on the side in gym class
Thought he’d give the ball a throw
But no one would even pass it
No one let him have a go
No one’s meant to be an island
Lonely in life’s river’s flow
Build the bridges, start the healing
Let it flow. Start with Hello
She was eating in the lunchroom
Where did all the children go?
Surely, someone can do something
Someone should #Start with Hello
Why not break the ice and reach out?
Let a friendship start to grow
For years and years, it will be strong
If you just #Start with Hello
Cast: (performs Hello, Goodbye)
Jane: Good afternoon, Mrs. Nealy, Mrs. Luongo, Mrs. Werth, parents, students, teachers and other honored guests. Welcome to class 5-315’s and class 5-303’s presentation of #Starts with Hello: Fab Fifth Graders Combat Social Isolation. This special joint collaboration is brought to you with love from the members of our class communities as part of our Dr. Jane Goodall-Roots & Shoots service learning project and our PS 165 mission to be kind, respectful and responsible—especially when no one else can see…
Ethan: It was inspired by the Sandy Hook Promise organization’s promise and commitment to Start With Hello which is designed to bring individuals and communities together to foster looking out for and caring for one another. It teaches children, teens and young adults how to be more socially inclusive and connected to one another.
Student #2: So what is social isolation?
Student #3: Social isolation happens when someone feels alone or left out of a social situation. They are very quiet, often by themselves, and they might have a hard time making friends. Sometimes, people can feel socially isolated even when you think they are not. Someone can feel isolated even when they are with others. It’s also important to understand that sometimes people want to be alone. We call this “healthy alone time.” Whether it’s time to think, zone out, take a break from friends, or relax, some alone time is healthy. The difference between social isolation and healthy alone time is that healthy alone time is a positive choice that we make.
Student #2: So how does social isolation happen?
Student #3: Social isolation can happen in many different ways. It might happen if someone is uncomfortable in groups. This might mean that they avoid group activities and have a hard time fitting in. It could also happen if someone is left out by friends. Sometimes, they are purposely left out through bullying. Or, they may be accidentally left out.
Student #2: Where can you find social isolation?
Student #3: Social isolation happens in a lot of places. You can find it in the classroom, on the bus, in the cafeteria, on the playground, at special events, and many more places.
Student #2: How do you think it feels to be socially isolated?
Student #3: Social isolation makes people feel lonely and very sad. It can lead to trouble learning, ignoring family and friends, health problems, and/or harming of self and others.
Student #3: Who is responsible for social isolation?
Student #2: Social isolation is a problem that belongs to each and every one of us. Together we can do something about it. Together we can make a difference.
Student #5: Hello! It’s Time to Cheer You Up! Start by Making a Friend! Now put that gadget of yours away! Get Out there and make some friends! A simple hello could lead to millions of things! H-How are you? E- Everything all right? L-Let’s Be Friends L-Let’s Have Some Fun! O-Or what else would you like to do? Help to get other people to reach out of the darkness!
Cast: (performs Reach Out of the Darkness).
Students: Hi! We are Poyee Kong, Alycia Hu, Sophia Lin, Lucy Zhang, Inaya Kabir, Jane Lim, Jacky Gao, Amanda Wu, and Seth Sifuentes.
Poyee: We all helped prepare the slide show presentation that is accompanying our show. Everybody can fit in by following three easy simple steps.
Alycia: The first step is to check around for someone that is alone with doing nothing.
Jacky: Then reach out to help. By reaching out to help we mean to go to them and help them feel visible and important. We should all be equal and no one should be left out.
Seth: The last step is to say Hello or always keep a smile on your face!!
Inaya & Sophia: The Meaning Of Hello:
H: Helping
E: Each other with having friends and
L: Loving each other and
L: Learning about
O: Others
Poyee: HELLO- Start with saying hello. That would make a person not feel invisible. The Meaning Of Hello:
H: Helping
E: Everyone
L: Let
L: Loneliness
O: Out of the Way
Student: This year, we are reading several books that Ms. Nealy purchased for us that teach us about the power of kindness including the beautiful story, Each Kindness. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different--she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.
CAST: (Performs A Little Kindness).
Student #6: This is how events may unfold at school and every day, we work together at PS 165 to ensure that nobody feels excluded, alone or isolated. Watch carefully and don’t forget, “It starts with hello!”
Student #7: Isn’t it amazing and powerful how words can be? Words can heal and bring us together rather than tearing us apart. Choose your words carefully. Choose love—not hate. And remember, it starts with hello!
Cast: (Performs Words).
Student #8: So what does social isolation or loneliness feel like?
Alycia: I take the bus to school and at bus, practically the only people I talk to are Sophia and Vivian. Qian Qian used to be there and she was my best friend. But, she had moved to another home and went to another school. So now, she is not going to be here anymore. Without either of them, I’m alone and I feel lonely. It’s quite a long time on the bus, and when I try to read to take up the time, I get dizzy and have a bad feeling after a while. Then, all I can do is stare out the window and wish the bus trip could be shorter.
Lucy: One time on a Saturday afternoon I was on the playground with my friends. Then another girl bossed us around and took my friends away which now, my friend was playing with that girl. And I was all alone. Then another girl invited me to play with her and we became best friends.
Amanda: One time when I felt really lonely was on a Saturday morning, I was at home and felt left out and alone. But then, we went to the park with my mom, and my younger brother while my dad was at work. When my brother went there, he had a play date while I was just sitting there watching him play with his friend. I felt really lonely. But then I realized that his friend had an older sister. So my brother’s friend’s sister said, “Hello, what is your name? My name is Emily”. And then we started playing and we became best friends forever.
Student #9: Remember—be kind, respectful and responsible. Be a friend. GET YOUR BRAVE ON!!!
Cast: (Performs Brave).
Seth & Jacky: (enter).
Student #10: So what can YOU do to make the world better and brighter? What can YOU do to help combat social isolation? Here are some suggestions we helped compile.
Jacky: So here’s our “hello” checklist: See someone Alone
Reach Out and Help
Start with saying Hello or keep a smile on your face!
Seth: See someone that looks like they are alone. Go to them and ask them questions about them. Say Hello and you will make a new best friend!!
Jacky: Remember—one friend can change your entire life!
Inaya: Happiness is the key to life and not loneliness!
Lucy: Here are some suggestions to help fight loneliness:
Amanda: Positive Post-Its Day: Everyone writes a positive word or two on a post-it.. We can simply start by giving positive post its to a person you don’ t know and then begin talking to them. Or you can try to get to know them first and give them a note later with your name on it so they know who it’s from
Jane: Name Tag day (Hey Day): Everyone will wear a nametag so we can know each other’s names and make them not feel left out/feel like they are nothing. They will not be invisible and have someone to talk to.
Jacky: No one eats alone day: During lunch, no one eats alone. When people eat alone, they eat without having fun or talking to other people. They don’t do much. Start a conversation with them and try to make them feel welcome and important!
Lucy: We can all start by joining in with a lonely person and start talking to them. It can make them feel better. Or if they don’t want to talk, we can try again at a time they may seem more relaxed—begin by saying hello!
Amanda: You can give a secret present or gift to the lonely person—like leave it on their desk or somewhere they may notice it.—and make them think that someone actually cares about them!
Lucy: Maybe you can invite someone who may be lonely to a party with your friends so they can start meeting and talking to different people. To have a friend, you got to be a friend.
Student #11: These are just some suggestions. What do YOU think we can do to help fight social isolation? We know it’s not easy to be a leader and try to bring about change. But when you know something is the right thing to do, don’t be afraid to stand alone, listen to the color of your dreams and listen to your heart. Be your own special person! Be a friend! Make your own kind of music—even when nobody else sings along!
Cast: (performs Make Your Own Kind of Music).
Student: More than a decade after releasing her first album, Rachel Platten made her Hot 100 debut with the empowerment anthem, Fight Song. .The talented singer-songwriter, Rachel Platten had this to say about her beautiful and inspirational tune, Fight Song. “After three months of attempting to write a"hit,"my publisher, called me and asked why I hadn't yet told my story. I didn't want to talk about the struggle, I told her I didn't want to go there. But I finally relented, more out of just the need to get it out."Fight Song"was that story. The story of the many rejections I received from record labels, the countless closed doors; and despite all of it, that tiny but brave voice in my heart that wouldn't let me give up on myself or my dream.” We encourage all of you to keep working towards your dreams but never forget to be kind to those around us.
Cast: (Performs Fight Song).
Student #11: And even when things may not seem like they’re going your way. Even when you may be having a conflict with another person—try to work it out—‘cause life is too short for fussing and fighting, my friends!!!!
Cast: (performs We Can Work it Out).
Student #12: Classes 4-315 and 4-303 hope you enjoyed our show. There are many people we have to thank. Mr. Samuels—thanks for all of your musical assistance and lending your special talents and gifts to our presentation.
Student #13: Likewise to Ms. Cody—we are dancing queens and kings because of you! Thanks for all the beauty and awesomeness that you bring to our school community.
Student #14: Ms. Pissano—we are thrilled that you joined our school community and support us in the performing arts. Thank you!
Student #15: Thanks to our parents and wonderful teachers, Mrs. Clyne-Davis, Mrs. Brown and our fabulous fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Isopo and thanks to all of you—the team 165 community for your support and for being with us today.
Student #16: We would like to dedicate our final number to our new Kindness Queen—our principal, Mrs. Nealy who has helped make PS 165 a beautiful place. (Students hand Mrs. Nealy her crown). Mrs. Nealy, thank you for all the wonderful initiatives you brought to our school including Fun Friday and for making us all feel like we are something special. This song was written by Jack Davis, Mrs. Clyne-Davis’ husband and we proudly sing it with love and care for Mrs. Nealy and all of YOU!!! So remember to be kind, respectful and responsible—especially when no one else can see! And don’t forget it starts with HELLO!!!
Cast: (performs A Good Place).