School Programs and Support

Program Description

Through collaboration and the provision of resources to schools, PVP addresses the public health strategy of primary prevention, addressing violence before it occurs, which is best accomplished by working with children and families. PVP was recognized in 2000 with a Peace Prize award by the State of Minnesota for our work with youth. PVP reaches approximately 7200 students each year through its partnerships with St. Paul schools.

Goals for these programs include:

1. Children and youth will develop positive, healthy relationships with peers; increase skills that enhance personal responsibility, work to create a positive school climate; and develop a stronger commitment to school participation.
2. In local schools, provide and support curricula, activities and other creative projects shown to prevent violent behavior among students.

In School Programs

In West 7th neighborhood schools, PVP provides and supports curricula shown to prevent violent behavior among students. The curricula introduce concepts and definitions of violence, teach anger management, social and emotional skills, and techniques to reduce stress and develop positive approaches to assertiveness and self-confidence in the face of violence. In these schools, violence prevention and peace promotion projects, activities and events have also been initiated by PVP and perpetuated by faculty and school leadership.

Different activities include:
Photovoice, a project with Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, has allowed students from Harding and St. Paul Open to learn about waste issues and develop action plans to respond to waste problems.

PVP distributes culturally appropriate violence prevention materials to schools upon request.

The Hmong Girls Empowerment Group has offered middle school Hmong girls a chance to meet on a weekly basis in effort to increase positive youth development and school attendance.

Theater Performances and Classes

Theater performances/classes provided by local contracted agencies that address issues such as child abuse prevention, harassment, bullying, and conflict resolution.

EHDI-funded activities which include violence prevention performances from groups such as CLIMB Theater, Pacer Center, and Youth Performance.

Peacemaking Projects

Creative peacemaking projects are initiated and supported by PVP. An example of this is the ceramic tile “Peace Wall” at Monroe Community School, where each graduating student designs a tile for permanent installation in the mural. Each year since 1999 sections of this mural have been completed and installed.

PVP incorporates the link between peacemaking and respecting the environment into its violence prevention efforts with youth. This concept has been added to the annual peace essay writing in the West 7th community, schools have participated in Earth month activities, and a Peace and Environment Camp is held each Fall for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from diverse neighborhoods in St. Paul and surrounding communities.

Building from past involvement with the Wakanheza Project, which promotes strategies to use in public spaces that honor our youth and one another as scared, PVP is working with the Initiative for Violence-Free Families and Communities in Ramsey County to Promote the Creating Welcoming Environments for Youth (CWEY) Project.

International Week of Peace is celebrated once a year, and one new peace site is added.