Haverhill High School VIP

Violence Intervention and Prevention—VIP—was started at Haverhill High School in 2005 as a one-time, peer-led youth anti-violence conference. The effort has grown into a well-established leadership program involving both high school and middle school students dedicated to promoting peace and respect throughout the schools and community. From the original high school initiative, the program expanded to include Jr. VIP teams at all four middle schools. The Haverhill High School VIP Team was fortunate to have an evaluation partner from Boston University, funded through the Charles E. Shannon Grant. We are proud to have received recognition as a model program for other communities seeking to help youth develop alternatives to prevent violence. This strength-based model provides support, leadership training and opportunities for young people to become involved and connected with caring adults and positive youth leaders. The ongoing connection empowers youth to become active, engaged members of their communities serving as role models and peer mentors. As many VIP members claim, “VIP is not a program- it’s a lifestyle!”

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Haverhill 2022 Student Testimony

Alexis

“SAFE” does not mean the same thing to the adults in our building that it does to our students. Read Alexis’ Statement

Sean

With the voices of every student, regardless of who they are, we can create a new school community that is built for everyone. Read Sean’s Statement

Sophie

I wish all of my classmates had the same opportunities to form positive relationships with teachers. Read Sophie’s Statement

Taeyah

Educators should also learn coping skills to deal with one’s self or colleagues. Visit Taeyah’s Landing Page

Trish

After spending so much time learning in isolation, schools should provide students with more opportunities to connect with each other in the classroom. Visit Trish’s Landing Page

Haverhill High School VIP

Listening to students’ voices is more important now than ever, as decision makers at all levels contemplate plans for the rest of the remote learning period and the transition back to campus.

Throughout Winter 2021, students from the Haverhill High School Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) program engaged in weekly conversations to identify the most pressing concerns related to remote and hybrid learning and identify proposed solutions. They authored a report documenting their ideas titled “Students’ Priorities for Recovery and Beyond.” They then submitted their report to and met with local education decision makers. Going forward, they plan to use this work as a foundation for launching a new student voice coalition in their school and for partnering with school administrators to apply for a state-funded grant to make their school safer and more supportive for all students.

Chelsea and Gabby discuss why the Haverhill High School VIP Report: “Student Priorities for Recovery and Beyond” was created.

Haverhill VIP Action Timeline

February 25, 2020
Writing and Delivering Testimony

7 students from Haverhill VIP prepared individual testimony to the Massachusetts Legislature expressing what they need in order to do well in school. They delivered their written statements at a legislative briefing on February 25, 2020.
Summer & Fall 2020
Zoom Conversations

VIP students continued to reflect on the issues raised in their testimony in a series of Zoom interviews throughout summer and fall 2020. They also considered new issues arising from remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and from the intensifying movement for racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
Winter 2021
Analyzing Remote Learning
Throughout winter 2021, VIP students engaged in weekly Zoom conversations with each other, working together to identify the common issues students were experiencing in remote and hybrid learning. Their discussions emphasized the growing desperation and disengagement many students were feeling after months spent learning virtually.
March 2021
Documenting Concerns and Solutions
VIP students decided to author a report describing the most pressing concerns emerging from their weekly discussions as well as their proposed solutions. Their report – “Students’ Priorities for Recovery and Beyond” – was completed in March 2021.
April 2021
Meeting with Administrators
VIP students shared their written report with their school principal and district superintendent and then met with them on Zoom in April 2021. To address their priorities, students asked their administrators to make two immediate commitments: 1) to partner with them in applying for a Massachusetts Safe and Supportive Schools Grant and 2) to create a central channel for communicating information to students.
April 2021
Meeting with State Representatives
After meeting with administrators, VIP students convened a Zoom meeting with their three state representatives. They advocated for their priorities and learned from the legislators about federal funds that would be coming to their district as part of the COVID relief packages. Their representatives encouraged them to raise their voices in discussion about how those funds would be spent.
May 2021
Presenting to School Committee
VIP students requested time on their School Committee’s meeting agenda and were invited to make a public presentation. They submitted their written report to the committee, verbally summarized their priorities and solutions, and requested an opportunity to participate in budget conversations about allocating federal COVID relief funds.
June 2021
Organizing a Coalition
VIP student leaders launched a new coalition in their school – Student Voice Advocates (SVA) – to partner with educators in applying for a Safe and Supportive Schools Grant. A group of 6 student leaders will represent a larger group of 37 students who will deliberate on priorities to bring forth to the administration.
Summer 2021
Applying for a Grant
In summer 2021, VIP leaders and students from the newly formed SVA coalition plan to work closely with school and district administrators to apply for an FY22 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant. This planning grant would fund a year-long action planning process focused on strategies for creating a safer and more supportive school for all students. This application will be first ever to propose a student-staff partnership!
November 2021
Implementing the Grant
Grant awards will be awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) by November 1, 2021. Haverhill students will be anxiously awaiting word on the result of their application and will be looking forward to working with faculty and staff to begin creating a safe and supportive action plan for their school.

Student Priorities for Recovery and Beyond

A Report by Haverhill High School Student VIP

Remote learning has been a challenging adjustment for students, parents, educators, and schools since the COVID-19 pandemic started last spring. It has been an unprecedented time for students, who are missing social interactions with their peers and have spent an excessive amount of time in front of screens to learn. Challenges with remote learning have only compounded many pre-existing challenges. Listening to students’ voices is more important now than ever, as decision makers at all levels contemplate plans for the rest of the remote learning period and the transition back to campus.

In this report, Haverhill High School VIP students offer our own insights and experiences concerning the pandemic’s impact on our education. We explain that while the pandemic has caused some unique challenges, it has primarily exacerbated existing issues in our education.

Read the Full Report

Haverhill 2020 Student Testimony

Alice

For me, one of the most important parts of a safe and supportive school is that all the adults in the building understand how to care for and support all of the students. Read Alice’s Statement

Chelsea

We all need and deserve access to positive relationships, a sense of well-being, community, and our own potential. Read Chelsea’s Statement

Gabriela

In order to make connections with students, in order for them to feel supported like I did, you first have to hear them. This means hearing students’ voices in the classroom. Read Gabriela’s Statement

Jonathan

With safety, cooperation and community – rather than just memorization – all of our students will learn and achieve so much more. Read Jonathan’s Statement

Michelle

My peers and I find it impossible to focus in class if we do not feel supported, so spreading this feeling throughout the building would help us all succeed. Read Michelle’s Statement

Taeyah

As students, some of us spend more time with teachers and counselors than we do with our own families. They are the people who teach us and set us up for our futures. We want to feel understood and accepted. Read Taeyah’s Statement

Trish

It is vital for us to feel connected and have strong relationships with our teachers. If the teachers and students have a stronger personal bond, then it makes it easier for us to learn in class. Read Trish’s Statement

Haverhill High School VIP

Haverhill 2022 Student Testimony

Alexis

Sean

Sophie

Taeyah

Trish

Haverhill High School VIP

Haverhill VIP Action Timeline

February 25, 2020

Summer & Fall 2020

Winter 2021

March 2021

April 2021

April 2021

May 2021

June 2021

Summer 2021

November 2021

Student Priorities for Recovery and Beyond

Haverhill 2020 Student Testimony

Alice

Chelsea

Gabriela

Jonathan

Michelle

Taeyah

Trish

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