In preparation to presenting the VIP Program in schools, obtain some background information that may be useful in tailoring the presentations to meet the needs of the school, and the local community. This may include getting in contact with the school principal, school counsellor or classroom teacher to inquire about the interests of the class, their maturity level and perhaps challenges they may be facing.
If your PEACE Program is new to offering VIP presentations, it is recommended to watch the Tips and Tools for Supporting VIP Program in Schools webinar. This webinar is also available in the BCSTH Webinar Library as a part of the VIP Webinar Training Series. This webinar addresses many of the salient challenges faced by PEACE Programs struggling to get VIP into schools, and offers practical tools for
connecting with local schools.
TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Some Questions to Consider when Planning to Approach Schools
- What does the school need to know before they can decide whether they will partner with the VIP Program? How can I provide them with the necessary information?
- What are the social, cultural, developmental and economic needs of the school community? In what ways does the VIP Program reflect the school’s needs?
- What other violence prevention programs are in place at the school already? What can the VIP Program offer that is unique, and complements the other programs?
- Who is the primary contact for the VIP Program at the school? Is there a possible VIP Program advocate at the school? If so, can they be involved and the presentation and in what capacity?
- Has the school already been involved with the VIP Program? If so, in what ways does that relationship impact the purpose and apprach of the VIP Program at that school today?
Steps to Promote the VIP and PEACE Programs in Schools
- Introduce the PEACE Program and local PEACE Program counsellors, and their organization, to the school.
- Connect with school staff and personnel, including principals, teachers, school counsellors, librarians, administrators, parent organizations and the school board.
- Work to establish a working relationship between the PEACE Program and the school, encouraging the school to recognize the PEACE and VIP Programs as allied resources for the school.
- Share the VIP Promotional Video, VIP Curriculum, VIP brochure, VIP postcards and wallet cars, and other VIP and PEACE Program resources with school staff and personnel.
- Discuss the impact of the VIP Program by using the statistics and student feedback found in this Facilitator Guide and emphasize the alignment of the VIP Program with the MOE’s PHE Curriculum.
- Explain the ways in which the VIP Program will assist teachers, and explore and address any concerns or hesitations school staff and personnel may have regarding the VIP Program.
Key Considerations for VIP Presentations in Schools
- How much time is the school able to allocate for the VIP presentation? If appropriate, is there a chance to offer more than one presentation
- Who will be audience be? The audience may range from students to school staff and personnel, parents and guardians and community members. How many people are expected to attend? Will those with decision-making power be in attendance? What does this audience need to know about the most?
- What grades and age ranges will be reached?
- How can the VIP presentation be engaging and address different learning styles?
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT VIP PROGRAM ADVOCACY IN SCHOOLS
The Impacts in the Classroom
If schools have a reason to believe that a student or students have experienced or witnessed domestic violence, BCSTH recommends that they contract their local PEACE Program for support. Consider sharing the BCSTH In Every Classroom video with school staff, school personnel, parents and guardians.
What Schools Can Do to Support Students
If schools notice behaviour that suggest students are responding to domestic violence and violence against women, they can take the following recommended steps to support students.
- Partner with your local PEACE Program and arrance for VIP Program services to be offered in your school.
- Have the school counsellor connect regularly with students.
- Provide structure and routine in the classroom to create a sense of security and stability for students.
- Help students deal with conflicts in the classroom.
- Help students learn skills to make connections with peers and to develop empathy for others.
- Always model acceptance of differences by valuing diversity. Be sure to address
discrimintation, stereotyping and harassment. - Approach students consistently with composure and patience, and model nurturing interactions with students.
- Create opportunities for appropriate noise and fun in the classroom.
- Consider adjusting expectations of homework and schoolwork for students you suspect may be experiencing domestic violence.
- Offer encouragement and validation of students’ feelings.