Back-to-School Essentials

Bulletproof backpacks? Active shooter drills? School shootings are not inevitable. They are preventable. Sandy Hook Promise’s newest PSA illustrates what is seemingly the “new normal” – using back-to-school essentials to survive a school shooting. The goal of this national campaign is to reinforce how important it is to Know the Signs to prevent violence in schools.

Watch* and share via Facebook and Twitter.

* Please note that this PSA contains graphic content related to school shootings that may be upsetting to some viewers. If you feel that this subject matter may be too difficult for you, you may choose not to watch this video. This PSA is not a part of our Know the Signs programs and will not be shown to students in any educational communications from Sandy Hook Promise.

A student shows off his new “back-to-school” backpack.

Back-to-School PSA Makes Headlines

It's not your typical TV public service announcement.

"The Sandy Hook Promise spot that launched Wednesday shook me awake. Not to the horrors and frequency of gun violence in our schools, which I’ve been awake over (mostly in the middle of the night) for years. It woke me up to my own outdated notions about childhood innocence."

Let’s Start With Hello

Sandy Hook Promise’s new digital Start With Hello Elementary program is designed to teach empathy and compassion to young kids through an interactive storybook, games and more. But the three-step lesson is universal: See someone alone. Reach out and help. Start With Hello.

Start With Hello Week (Sept. 23-27) was this year’s national call to action for schools. Carry on this spirit of kindness by trying out the three steps in your workplace or community! Share your story with us on Facebook and Instagram.

A group of students shows off their “hello style” by saying aloha and wearing Hawaiian shirts with floral leis.

Make Your Voice Heard in Washington

Now is our opportunity to make sure our legislators are making gun violence prevention policies a priority. From background checks to extreme risk protection orders, we need to get this important legislation enacted – because we can’t afford to wait any longer to save lives and prevent gun violence.

Take action to make your voice heard and demand that your elected officials prioritize gun violence prevention.

Sign the petition here and call 855-955-0172 to be directly connected to your senators' offices.

Sandy Hook Promise activists and students from SAVE Promise Clubs meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss ways to prevent school shootings and other forms of violence.

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