Kickoff in Schools

What is “Just Say Hi?” “Just Say Hi” is a campaign started by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF). The goal of “Just Say Hi” is to address the unnecessary hesitation some people feel around disabilities. CPF has interviewed over 20 celebrities with tips on how to start a conversation with a person who has a disability. Their advice? It’s simple, “Just Say Hi.” Watch CPF’s “Just Say Hi” videos to learn more.

How is “Just Say Hi” in NYC Schools? CPF teamed up with the NYC Department of Education (DOE) to bring “Just Say Hi” to NYC public schools. The program helps students with and without disabilities to have conversations about diversity, inclusion, and different disabilities. It also helps schools to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students with disabilities.

“Just Say Hi” in Our School This year, our school will be part of “Just Say Hi!” We will join schools across NYC in welcoming and celebrating differences, diversity, and disabilities as part of our community.

What Will “Just Say Hi” Look Like? Teachers will facilitate lessons that that get students thinking and talking about disabilities and inclusion. Lesson topics include: What is disability? Breaking down stereotypes The power of language “Just Say Hi” and making connections Welcoming environments

Starting Today Today we start this important work in our school. We will work to better understand disability and make our school more inclusive. We will talk directly about this topic and commit to making big and small changes to ensure students of every ability are included in all parts of our school. How do we start this work? Inclusion begins with something simple, “Just Say Hi.”

Questions? Thoughts? Ideas?