School/Agency Workshops

School workshops provide training for teachers, counselors and school staff, as well as students. The Kidpower approach ensures that every child practices every skill presented through carefully formatted activities and role-plays that build confidence, self-esteem and awareness in dealing with strangers, adults children know and bullies. Unless the school specifically requests physical training, the four-hour workshop for children focuses on verbal boundary-setting skills and safety training without physical self-defense. Teacher/counselor training helps school professionals learn how to present safety skills in the classroom so that this can become part of the ongoing curriculum.

Comments from Russ Vogel, Principal of Manitou Springs Elementary School:
"What is Kidpower’s effect in my school? Empowered children. Empowered to stand against bullies because they have been given the vocabulary to do so. Empowered to stand against predatory adults because they have the awareness to do so—as did the young boy last year who he shouted ‘No!” and fled back to our school from an adult closing in on him. Empowered to stand together as they move on into middle school, with the fully developed expectation that people respect and protect themselves and each other. Kidpower has been a major partner here in preparing our children internally, systemically, against the risk factors in an increasingly risky world. These people are smart, loving, appropriate, and powerful for kids."

Programs scheduled for 2012-2013 (open only to students of each school):

• Academy ACL, October 23 & 30
• Academy International, April 4 & 11
• Banning Lewis Ranch Academy, April 3 & 10
• Bristol Elementary, February 26 & March 5
• Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy, February 13 & 20
• The daVinci Academy, January 15 & 22
• French Elementary, January 16 & 23
• Frontier Elementary, November 28 & December 5
• Gold Camp Elementary, November 27 & December 4
• Grant Elementary, November 8 & 15
• High Plains Elementary, November 5 & 12
• Jordahl Elementary, February 12 & 19
• Lake George Charter School, May 1 & 8
• Manitou Springs Elementary, February 27 & March 6
• Martinez Elementary, January 31 & February 7
• Monroe Elementary, January 29 & February 5
• Monterey Elementary, September 13 & 20
• Monument Academy, February 28 & March 7
• Mountain Vista Community School, October 11 & 18
• Odyssey Elementary, November 7 & 14
• Patriot Elementary, April 17 & 24
• Pikes Peak Elementary, April 2 & 9
• Pinello Elementary, October 10 & 17
• Pinon Valley Elementary, Janaury 30 & February 6
• Rockrimmon Elementary, February 14 & 21
• Soaring Eagles Elementary, September 25 & October 2
• Springs Ranch Elementary, April 16 & 23
• Trailblazer Elementary Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Classrooms
• Venetucci Elementary, September 12 & 19
• Ute Pass Elementary, April 18 & 25
• West Elementary, January 17 & 23
• Widefield Elementary, October 9 & 16

How to arrange a school program

Kidpower has provided services to most school districts and many agencies in our community. School programs can be arranged by principals, school counselors, PTO representatives or interested parents. Agency programs are organized by agency personnel. School workshops focus on verbal boundary-setting and safety training without physical self-defense unless specifically requested by the school. Our approach ensures that every child practices every skill presented through carefully formatted activities and role-plays that build confidence, self-esteem and awareness in dealing with strangers, adults children know and peers.

As each school and agency differs, Kidpower is happy to customize programs to the specific needs of your group. Please call our office to discuss your school or agency’s particular situation and we can propose various lengths and formats to fit your needs. Kidpower also holds programs during the day, teaching skills to the entire school population. We have also done programs in nursery schools, kindergartens, middle schools and high schools.

Our typical school program consists of two 2-hour segments, usually held one week apart from 6 to 8 o’clock in the evening. Classes include up to twenty-five first through fifth or sixth graders. Sign-up is conducted by the school on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the program can be paid by participants or by a school organization like the PTO. Some schools pursue their own grant funding or use funds Kidpower has available for low-income or high-risk areas in order to offer the program at no cost to families. It is our policy to never turn away a child away for lack of funds so provisions are made so that every child is welcome. Please contact Kidpower for specific fee information.

The evening school program requires students to be accompanied by an adult in their life (parent, grandparent, or caregiver) to help develop a common vocabulary about safety. It is fine to have one adult for multiple children in the same family. Schools provide a simple snack and drink for participants. The only equipment required are 20-25 folding chairs and a school gym.

Upon confirmation of your program, we will send materials to help you publicize the program to your school or agency’s members.