HOPE Week, January 23-27

HOPE Squad Logo

The Valley High School HOPE Squad is proud to be sponsoring a HOPE week from January 23-27. The purpose of the HOPE week is to help students to better understand the purpose of our HOPE squad, which is a school based “peer to peer” program that partners with local mental health and community agencies. HOPE Squad students are trained to be active listeners so they may help and respond to peers who are struggling with emotional issues such as depression and suicide. HOPE Squad members are trained to share concerns with an adult.

The goals of the HOPE Squad Program are to:

  • Prevent suicide and reduce suicidal behaviors
  • Break the code of silence regarding suicide in schools and communities
  • Create positive relationships among students
  • Provide training to increase students’ knowledge about suicide warning signs
  • Increase acceptance among adolescents to seek adult help for peers
  • Educate students about community resources

HOPE week will include a number of events that will hopefully help with these goals, including a free breakfast, lunchtime games and activities, positive note day, and dress-up days with prizes!

Dress-up Days:

Monday: Yellow Day, “Dress for HOPE!: Yellow: the color of hope”
Tuesday: Celebrity Look Alike Day, “Even Celebrities Have Hard Days”
Wednesday:  Superhero Day, “Be a Hero, Don’t Keep Deadly Secrets”
Thursday:  Mismatched Shoe Day, “Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes”
Friday: Black & Orange Day, “School Pride Builds Unity!”