About the SAFE Through The Arts Program

logo by Dixie Oullette, digital color by Alek Speck

DOWNLOAD The SAFE Through the Arts Program Application

What is the SAFE through the Arts Program?

SAFE through the Arts is a weeklong program that uses the creative and performing arts to educate middle school students on the prevention of bullying, violence and abusive relationships. The program is based upon three key components: Self-Affirmation, Financial literacy, and Education of non-violence. SAFE through the Arts encompasses thirteen New York State learning standards in addition to a variety of performing and visual arts. The program usually takes place during ELA classes and concludes with an assembly concert in which the chorus students have the opportunity to sing the SAFE through the Arts theme song with the band of guest artists. Each student who participates in SAFE through the Arts receives a fifty-page handbook filled with valuable information, resources and fun activities.

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The curriculum for the SAFE through the Arts program is as follows:

Day One begins with a showing of the "Bricks in the Wall" music video about awareness of the more subtle aspects of bullying and violence and is followed by factual information presented in the form of a game involving movement and cognitive thinking abilities. The next three days focus on the three key components: (Self-Affirmation, Financial literacy, and Education of non-violence) taught though the use of performing and creative arts activities. The program culminates with the sharing of the students' final projects, which not only serves as assessment for class teachers, but is also the opportunity for each student to demonstrate his or her creativity and knowledge of one or more aspects of the program. The program concludes with an assemble concert on Friday afternoon, reinforcing the messages of empowerment, courage, and importance of believing in oneself.

Objectives:

	For each student to learn tools to help recognize and prevent him or herself from engaging in abusive relationships.
	For each student to gain understanding of the cycle of violence in all its forms.
	For each student to learn tools to help recognize and prevent him or herself from engaging in abusive relationships.
	For each student to learn tools to help recognize and prevent him or herself from engaging in abusive relationships.
	For students to meet several core performance indicators of each of the four New York State English Language Standards of Education for 7th and 8th graders.

How the SAFE through the Arts program utilizes 13 NYS standards of education

SAFE Through The Arts on My Space

SAFE Through The Arts on Facebook

Recent Programs

"Students at Duanesburg Middle School practice the Tree Relaxation exercise."

"Students work on journal writing as part of the SAFE through the Arts program."

"Students display their collages as part of the Self-Affirmation component of the SAFE through the Arts program."

"Students engaged in a Self-Affirmation activity."

Artwork

Examples of students' Self-Affirmation collages:

Examples of students' final projects demonstration their knowledge of one or more aspects
of the SAFE through the Arts program and utilizing their art form of choice:

The Cycle of Violence

Poetry

I'm Sorry

You were my everything. I'm thankful for having you in my life. I want to say thank you for having me in your life. I want to say thank you for loving me. I see you. I need you. I appreciate what I have and what I have is you. Many want me to change but not like you. You want me to change not mentally but physically as well. Look at me now. I'm not the same. Mira me ya no soy la misma de antes. Yo no juego man I don't play. I know you're not the same but so what I'm still not cut. I'm going to be me no matter what. Voy ir adelante para for me. Tu corazon ya esta muerto. But that don't mean you have to take mine. Voy ir adelante para mi. You were all I had. I want to say thank you for having me in your life. I see you. I need you. Look at me I'm growing stronger growing wiser.

I'm sorry I'm going to take of my promising ring. I don't want to but you broke your promise. Sometimes a girl needs to know that she appreciated. Do you remember saying I promise not to hurt I promise not to lie. I promise to defend you defend you with my life. I promise you forever. How in the world could a girl say no? I knew it was true when you made my finger glow. I'm sorry but it's time for me to say goodbye. I promise not to HURT YOU. Just let it go, let just it go.

I'M SORRY I DON'T WANT YOUR PROMISE RING.

Thank ME for having YOU in my life.

Could Be:
A Safe Through The Arts Program

Cinquains On Anger:

My Life:

View photos and read Margaret's blog from the SAFE Through The Arts program retreat JULY 2008: Click Here

Margaret Bernstein demonstrating the SAFE through the Arts program
to members of the Girl Scout Troop 1206 from Greenville, New York please Click Here

For further information on the SAFE through the Arts program, please contact us at: safe@azaleablossom.com