"I'm constantly impressed by the ways that young people are just so much farther along than many adults when it comes to understanding gender stereotypes, when it comes to sticking up for friends, when it comes to creating equitable communities. Young people are practicing it a lot and and can lead the way." - Celine, WISE Youth Program Manager
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Heading back to school
After a busy summer of updating and revising our materials to get ready for the new school year, the Prevention and Education Program team is back in school!
We kicked of the new school year at Thetford Academy, exploring themes of gender-based violence in The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Before the school year even started, teachers and guidance counselors were calling and emailing to schedule their WISE time. For schools who were unable to have programming or only engaged online, they missed having us in the classroom and wanted us back ASAP! We are pleased to know they missed the in person WISE programming as much as we missed being in the classroom.
Even as we are returning to the classrooms, things are still not back to normal. Each school district is operating with their own unique COVID safety protocols. Some classes are held inside, others are in outdoor classrooms, while a few are still remote. Regardless of the environment, we are ready to engage Upper Valley students.
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We are often asked for our thoughts about supporting young people. With that in mind, we created a booklet that shares our approach. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, coaches, teachers, counselors, and all of us have a role to play in helping kids learn expectations for healthy and safe relationships. We have opportunities every day to help safely navigate the complexities of relationships, cultural norms, and social pressures. Check out our new prevention booklet to learn how.
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The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor is the latest addition to our growing library of discussion guides created for schools and libraries to help facilitate the exploration of gender-based violence themes. We love reading and we love supporting teachers. What a great way to foster both!
Is there a book that you would like to explore with us? Email us your suggestions.
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Back to school means the WISE Words radio program is back on the air! We were so excited to get back into the studio and record a whole new set of WISE Words prevention segments.
Listen live on WGXL (92.3) and The River (93.9) during the morning and afternoon commutes and over the weekends or explore the whole lineup on our website.
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As we celebrate our 50 years of WISE, we continue to explore the history of the organization through the decades. Click here to read last month's installation.
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Creating prevention programming
As we take a look into our past, and honor the many wonderful people who helped evolve WISE into the organization of today, we are constantly reminded about how our relationships within our communities are a significant part of the WISE story. Lebanon High School was the first WISE high school when teacher Les Lawrence invited us into his classroom, and continued every year for 21 years until his retirement. Diane Guarino, the health teacher at Hartford High School invited us in, and when she moved on to Hanover High School, we moved with her. Sarah Lemieux, the health teacher at Woodstock Union High School, brought WISE to Woodstock, and when she switched districts to teach at Hartford High School, our long-term relationship continued.
By the mid-90s, our schools program had expanded to include middle schools and a couple elementary schools. Today, WISE prevention programming is present in all 10 school districts. We currently meet students in kindergarten and continue seeing them until they graduate high school. It is hard to imagine the time when the prevention program was just beginning to take hold!
Have a story to share? Old pictures? Email us! We would love to include your experiences as part of our 50th oral history project.
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We are really low in gift cards for survivors and could really use your help. Gift cards for local stores are needed so survivors can focus on addressing their most urgent needs. Most useful are $25-50 cards for VISA, Walmart, pharmacies, gas stations, and grocery stores. Thank you for answering the call! |
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Leading the Upper Valley to end gender-based violence |
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Program Center · 38 Bank Street · Lebanon, NH 03766
every hour, every day · 866-348-WISE
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