Fall River students learn school peace starts with saying hello

Sandy Hook Promise was brought in by United Neighbors of Fall River as part of the group’s 10th annual Peace by Piece Summit, held to teach city students ways to recognize and diffuse possible violence.

FALL RIVER – This moment of togetherness Friday was brought to Diman by Microsoft.

As Eric Jeanbaptiste spoke to 150 students at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School about ways to combat school violence, his computer shut down for a Windows update.

Everyone laughed. It is a plague they share.

And that was the point, Jeanbaptiste said. Finding something in common is a way to break the ice. And breaking the ice will make the world a safer place.

Jeanbaptiste was the presenter at the program put on by Sandy Hook Promise, the group put together after the Dec. 14, 2012 shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 20 children and six adults dead.

Sandy Hook Promise was brought in by United Neighbors of Fall River as part of the group’s 10th annual Peace by Piece Summit, held to teach city students ways to recognize and diffuse possible violence.

The decision to invite Sandy Hook Promise was made after the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 14 students and three staff members dead, said Wendy Garf-Lipp, the executive director of United Neighbors.

“We originally planned something else, but in light of what happened in Parkland, we really though we should concentrate on school violence,” Garf-Lipp said. “We are hoping to start a discussion on how to minimize bullying and isolation.”

The first step is to reach out to other students who might be hurting, Jeanbaptiste told the students. If you see someone isolated or alone, reach out, say hello, he said.

“Ask questions and use ice-breakers,” he said. “Learn the person’s name. If you use a name, you validate the person.”

You can ask the person where they are from, where they lived last, even something as simple as whether they would rather live in the city or the country or the name of their favorite super hero.

When in doubt, give the person a handwritten note, Jeanbaptiste said. In this age of ubiquitous social media, a handwritten note is especially powerful, he said.

Reaching out, making contact with someone who is lonely, isolated or suffering will make the world a better place, he said.

“You guys can make a difference,” he said. “You guys can affect a life at your school.

“Start with hello.”

Email Kevin P. O’Connor at koconnor@heraldnews.com.