One day before prom, in an advanced placement government classroom at Oakdale High School southeast of Frederick, Maryland, a group of students gathered to film the school’s morning announcement.
“Students Against Violence Everywhere, also known as SAVE, has decided to highlight our trusted adults, and we want you to vote to showcase our positive school climate and show appreciation for our teachers,” said Evie Graham, president of SAVE at Oakdale.
And while it might not be obvious, that announcement was part of a student-led effort to prevent the worst from happening at Oakdale High School.
“It’s, I think, important that schools, as they’re adapting programs like this, where you’re trying to get to create connections, that people are comfortable speaking up — that you can demonstrate to students that their concerns are going to be heard, that they’re going to be validated,” said Justin Heinze, an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the University of Michigan who has studied Sandy Hook Promise and its effectiveness.
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