New program would use volunteers to help prevent violent student behavior at Harrisburg High School

NEWS EIGHT’S TOM LEHMAN HAS MORE FROM JOHN HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL. VOLUNTEER. WITH THE SAFE PASSAGES PROGRAM HERE AT JOHN HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL. WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN BREAKING UP FIGHTS. INSTEAD, THEIR GOAL IS TO TRY AND PREVENT THEM FROM EVER HAPPENING. EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY, KIA HANSEN CO-FOUNDED THE GROUP CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF HARRISBURG. SHE SAYS THE NINE ADULTS WITH THE SAFE PASSAGES PROGRAM WOULD BE PAID A STIPEND OF $20 AN HOUR FOR UP TO THREE HOURS A DAY TO HELP MONITOR STUDENTS DURING LUNCH AND DISMISSAL. PEOPLE HAVE THIS PERCEPTION THAT YOU KNOW, WE’RE GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, UM, AN ARM OF THE SECURITY TEAM. AND THAT IS NOT THE INTENT. THE INTENT IS FOR US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN THAT MAY NOT HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT IN THEIR LIFE. THE PROGRAM BEARS SOME SIMILARITY TO THE DADS ON DUTY PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN USED ELSEWHERE IN PLACES LIKE LOUISIANA TO HELP SHOW STUDENTS THEY ARE VALUED. HANSEN SAYS SAFE PASSAGES VOLUNTEER HOURS WILL HAVE TO PASS. THREE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND GET PROPER CLEARANCES, BUT THEY’LL HOPEFULLY BE IN PLACE FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE AREN’T NECESSARILY LOOKING FOR ANY BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE IN PARTICULAR, JUST PEOPLE THAT HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST TO HELP OUR KIDS. THE DISTRICT’S RECEIVER SAYS AN AGREEMENT WILL STILL NEED TO BE FINALIZED IN ORDER TO PUT THE PLAN IN PLACE. THEY’LL ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THEIR LEGAL TEAM LOOK AT THE PROPOSAL AS WELL.

Harrisburg's top official this week recommended approval for the Safe Passages program to Harrisburg High School in an effort to prevent violent behavior among students.The group Concerned About the Children of Harrisburg presented the plan, which would involve bringing in nine adults from the community to monitor students in the cafeteria during transitions between classes and at dismissal.The goal is to build relationships with the students in hopes of keeping bad behavior from escalating."People have this perception that we'll be an arm of the security team and that is not the intent. The intent is to build relationships with kids who may not have a trusted adult in their life," said Kia Hansard, a co-founder of C.A.T.C.H.The adults would receive training and must pass three required background clearances. They would be paid $20 per hour for three hours per day, with the plan potentially going into effect for the remainder of the academic year."We aren't necessarily looking for any background or experience in particular, just people who want to help our kids," Hansard said.A final decision about the program could come on April 9.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Harrisburg's top official this week recommended approval for the Safe Passages program to Harrisburg High School in an effort to prevent violent behavior among students.

The group Concerned About the Children of Harrisburg presented the plan, which would involve bringing in nine adults from the community to monitor students in the cafeteria during transitions between classes and at dismissal.

The goal is to build relationships with the students in hopes of keeping bad behavior from escalating.

"People have this perception that we'll be an arm of the security team and that is not the intent. The intent is to build relationships with kids who may not have a trusted adult in their life," said Kia Hansard, a co-founder of C.A.T.C.H.

The adults would receive training and must pass three required background clearances. They would be paid $20 per hour for three hours per day, with the plan potentially going into effect for the remainder of the academic year.

"We aren't necessarily looking for any background or experience in particular, just people who want to help our kids," Hansard said.

A final decision about the program could come on April 9.

New program would use volunteers to help prevent violent student behavior at Harrisburg High School

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