When we launched the Hello Project, our goal was simple and powerful: get students talking again. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, we wanted to restore face-to-face connection, eye contact, and the small, meaningful interactions that build belonging. And in many ways, it worked. Hallways became more human. Classrooms felt more connected. Students began engaging with one another in ways that reminded us just how much they value real connection.

But as those conversations returned, something else became clear.

It’s not just whether students are talking, it’s how they are talking to one another.

Our students are growing up in a culture where language has shifted. Online spaces, group chats, and social media have normalized a tone that can be harsher, more sarcastic, and at times more hurtful than many of us experienced at their age. Even when not intended to harm, this kind of language shapes relationships, erodes empathy, and lowers the standard for how we treat one another. And because that language doesn’t stay online, it follows students into classrooms, teams, and everyday interactions.

Talk Kind  is our response to that realization.

As an extension of the Hello Project, Talk Kind is about raising the level of our language as a community. It’s not about eliminating humor, personality, or the natural energy of teenagers. It’s about helping students recognize the impact of their words, choose respect even when it’s not the easiest option, and have the courage to speak up when language crosses a line. This work is deeply connected to Restoring Focus. The same forces that fragment attention also shape communication. By addressing both, we are helping students build not just better habits, but stronger relationships and a healthier culture.

This is not the work of a school alone. It belongs to all of us: students, families, educators, and the broader community. Together, we can help our kids not just reconnect, but communicate in ways that lift each other up.