PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Wednesday was National SAVE Day, or Students Against Violence Everywhere. It’s part of the Sandy Hook Promise Program, which was developed after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. Its goal is to train students, and adults, to recognize the signs of gun violence, and work on preventing all violence.

Pinellas County Schools have SAVE clubs at all schools, and the students at San Jose Elementary in Dunedin did special activities for the day with the theme of unity.

“Hi patrols!” said Selima Hemani, a behavior specialist at San Jose Elementary, and the teacher who oversees the SAVE club. She greeted the students, then explained the special activity for National SAVE Day.

“You all will get a piece of paper and on this piece of paper you’ll have an opportunity to choose someone here who you would like to thank,” said Hemani.

The club is made up of fifth-grade safety patrol students, and the idea behind the activity on Wednesday was for the students to show their appreciation for each other. 

“Logan is a student who inspires me because when someone is down, he always cheers them up. Thank you, I appreciate you,” said one student to his friend Logan as they all sat in a circle on the floor, taking turns reading what they appreciate about their peers. 

Hemani said the club comes up with activities for their all students to do at San Jose Elementary. The activities all promote anti-bullying, and aim to stop violence.

Hemani said these types of activities show students that they’re not alone, and give them a support system.  

“Talking about all these issues is paramount in order to make a difference, and life is very different than when we were in school and the stresses for our children are very different, so it is something we need to talk about and make them aware and let them know they are not alone,” said Hemani.