| | Published December 25, 2018
| OUSD joins Sandy Hook Promise
| | | By Sora O'Doherty | | |
Orinda Intermediate School students will benefit from three new programs under a Memorandum of Understanding with Sandy Hook Promise entered into by the Orinda Union School District in December. Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, the organization's goal is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning their tragedy into a moment of transformation by providing programs and practices that protect children and prevent the senseless, tragic loss of life.
There are three programs that are covered by the MOU: "Say Something," which teaches students how to look for warning signs, signals and threats, especially in social media, from individuals who may want to hurt themselves or others and to say something to a trusted adult to get them help; "Start with Hello," which teaches youth how to be more inclusive and connected to one another. This program works to create connectedness and sustain an inclusive school culture by minimizing social isolation, marginalization and rejection before an individual chooses to hurt themselves or others; and "Signs of Suicide," which trains youth and adults how to identify, intervene and get help for students who may be depressed or suicidal.
Jen Woodman, dean of student services, says that suicide among students can be contagious, and all school districts were required last year to adopt preventative programs. She said that there have been clusters of student suicides in some districts in the state. "Say Something" will be the first program to be rolled out, intended to align with the federal program in February.
The program will be funded by Sandy Hook Promise and will run for three years, concluding in December 2021.
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Orinda church promotes stopping gun violence and suicide
By Sora O'Doherty
An unrelated Say Something program is run by the Reverend Michelle Robbins at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Orinda on Moraga Way. They will be holding two Say Something workshops. The first, facilitated by Yvonne Murray, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 will focus on stopping gun violence and suicide before it occurs. Murray has over 20 years of leadership working to solve critical social problems and has personal experience of losing a family member to gun suicide. She is the Faith Outreach Lead for the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Peninsula Group. Brian Walley, an Orinda police officer, will be there to explain the process of calling in a 5150 and what happens when they respond. California Welfare and Institution Code section 5150 provides a process for taking people into custody when they are a threat to themselves or someone else. | | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA