VALOR VIP
"Teaching students to value, encourage, and respect each other”
The idea is not simply to combat bullying,
but to encourage students to create change .
THE VALOR V.I.P. program was originally presented in local schools in the greater Cincinnati area alongside the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Ross Township Police Departments. The VALOR VIP program teaches and emphasizes good character traits along with creating positive behavior changes in students. We share with students that they have the ability to become a very important person or be a VIP. They learn their actions can make a difference in their classroom, family and neighborhood.
Students are encouraged to follow these principles:
- Value others,
- Always be kind,
- Lend a helping hand,
- Offer encouragement,
- Respect yourself and your classmates.
The program provides information to students that defines bullying and how it differs from someone being rude or mean. We provide examples of the 4 basic types of bullying that occur and the legal ramifications associated with it. We partnered with our local police departments and school resource officers when possible to help present portions of the program. Children are taught a variety of ideas and methods to deal with bullying situations using real life situations. After the conclusion of the presentation, students and faculty are able to meet our tiny miniature horses.
We use the miniature horses to further enhance the core principles taught in VALOR VIP. Horses are especially attuned to how they are treated by humans and that each horse, like people, has special value and ability. VALOR VIP principals help children see that actions like kindness, encouragement and respect have an effect on everyone. The target age group is third grade students, but is appropriate for preK - 5th The program is available for purchase online. It comes complete with a script, posters, activities pages, etc. You are able to tailor the program to fit your needs. It can be purchased at the link below at the price of $150 for the complete program.
Reviews of VALOR VIP
“I greatly appreciate that the program covers material already in the third grade health curriculum. It is great for the kids to hear about bullying from a different source outside of the school. Allowing them to discuss the issue from different perspectives gives them a chance to practice the skills in different manners and understand the importance of the topic. I also loved that Seven Oaks Farm used the ponies to help gain the students attention and connected them to the program. I would love for the program to return next school year.” - Kelli
“{We} thought that this program was wonder. Both the teachers and students shared how much they enjoyed this presentation. Thank you for all your efforts in bringing this program to us.” - Katie
“Thank you so much for coming to my 3rd grade classroom to present the bully program with my students! They absolutely LOVED the program! The kiddos were engaged in the presentation and discussion about the different types of bullying. We (as a classroom community) have continued to use the vocabulary we learned to discuss classroom situations that may arise during a lesson or throughout the day. You can really see the "light bulb" moment happening in their heads when they are making connections from the program to everyday life situations. The program not only made us more aware of the different types of bullying, but it also brought us closer together as a classroom community to help one another with different daily situations that kiddos encounter each day. … It was AMAZING to have the ponies in the classroom and be able to learn about them as well! That was definitely an added bonus! The packet of information that you provided to teachers was very beneficial. I was able to relay to my parents what their children were learning at school very clearly.”
Thank you so much for sharing your bullying knowledge (and ponies) with my students! I hope that you will be able to continue this program and make it an annual event for 3rd graders!”