Safe and Sound Schools Kicks Off 2019 With “New Year, New Sound”

Safe and Sound Schools Kicks Off 2019 With “New Year, New Sound”

Actor Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chasing DaVinci sound off on #schoolsafety with teens at Kellogg’s NYC

NEW YORK – Jan. 8, 2019 – With a new twist on New Year’s resolutions, Safe and Sound Schools, a national school safety non-profit founded by Sandy Hook parents, kicked off 2019 by asking teens how they resolve to improve school safety in their communities.

At a live exclusive event at Kellogg’s NYC, celebrity guest Jeremy Ray Taylor (It, Goosebumps 2), spoke with students about how a “spark” (small personal act of real kindness) can make a difference in school culture and safety. The band Chasing DaVinci debuted an original song, “Good Days,” dedicated to Safe and Sound Schools. Journalist Azia Celestino interviewed Jeremy and Chasing DaVinci about their backgrounds, current projects, and faithfulness to this cause. Safe and Sound Schools co-founder, Michele Gay, shared her story and explained the role students play in school safety, and event attendees enjoyed a photo booth from Hipstr, snacks from Kellogg’s NYC, and swag from Rekovr.

“Students should be focused on learning when at school, feeling safe and not worrying,” said actor Jeremy Ray Taylor. “School safety is a cause I believe in, and I hope others will join me by sharing their school safety resolution with #IChooseTo on social media.”

As part of his commitment to the cause, Jeremy Ray Taylor also recorded a PSA (public service announcement) to raise awareness for school safety. The PSA calls on students “to make a difference, to make their schools safe and sound,” and features Chasing DaVinci’s Good Days as the background music.

“Working with Jeremy Ray Taylor to empower teens to improve school safety is the ideal way to start off 2019,” said Michele Gay, co-founder and executive director, of Safe and Sound Schools. “Jeremy’s all about small personal acts of real kindness, and how they can spark a movement. That’s what our event was all about – empowering teens to make a positive difference in school safety. Everyone has a role to play, and with help from Jeremy and Chasing DaVinci, we are reaching more students, showing them the many ways they can get involved, and furthering our mission.”

Safe and Sound Schools helps build strong partnerships among all members of the school community: parents, administrators, educators, students, and first responders, and addresses all aspects of school safety such as mental and behavioral health, operations, and culture.  Safe and Sound Schools offers many ways to get involved, including our Safe and Sound Youth Council, a leadership program for teens.

About Safe and Sound Schools

Founded in 2013, Safe and Sound Schools works with school communities and mental health, law enforcement, and safety professionals to create and ensure the safest possible learning environment for all youth. The non-profit organization, started by parents who lost their children in the tragedy at Sandy Hook, delivers crisis-prevention, response, and recovery programs, tools, and resources, backed by national experts, to educate all members of the school community, from students and parents, to teachers and administrators, to law enforcement and local leaders. Winner of the 2015 SBANE New England Innovation Award for nonprofits, Safe and Sound Schools continues to answer the growing needs of school communities with custom programs, assessments, and training, reaching schools in every state in the country. For more information, visit safeandsoundschools.org.

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Video highlights from the New Year, New Sound event (Jan. 4, 2019). (Click here to download via DropBox.)

Public Service Announcement with Jeremy Ray Taylor for Safe and Sound. (Click here to download via DropBox.)

Photos from the New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019. (Click here to download via DropBox.)

Actors Jeremy Ray Taylor and Sophia Lillis join Michele Gay at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Actors Jeremy Ray Taylor and Sterling Jerins at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Actors Sophia Lillis, Jeremy Ray Taylor, and Sterling Jerins at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Azia Celestino, Chasing DaVinci, Michele Gay, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Sophia Lillis at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci debuted their original song, Good Days, at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci played original music for guests at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci plays for the crowd at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Sophia Lillis enjoying the photobooth at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci’s music lit up Kellogg’s NYC during Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci’s selfie with some guests at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Chasing DaVinci’s sound inspired guests at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chasing DaVinci at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chasing DaVinci debut the song Good Days at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor connects with guests at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor during an interview at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor greets guests at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor joins Chasing DaVinci for the debut of Good Days at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Jeremy Ray Taylor with Chasing DaVinci for the debut of Good Days at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Journalist Azia Celestino interviews Jeremy Ray Taylor at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Safe and Sound Schools co-founder Michele Gay interviewed at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Safe and Sound Schools co-founder Michele Gay shares her inspirational story at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Safe and Sound Schools co-founder Michele Gay shares her story of loss at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Teens enjoying the Hipstr photo booth at Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

Teens checking in for Safe and Sound School’s New Year, New Sound event, Jan. 4, 2019.

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