Create the climate of your school
It's Hard to Hate Someone Who's Story You Know!
Breaking Down the Walls is a powerful, interactive program that creates a unique environment of self reflection and community building. By working with a cross section of their peers, students learn they are not isolated from, but rather a part of a community that needs each other to be fully successful. Along the way, students discover the power of getting to know one another as well as the impact they have on those around them.
"The four days of working with our students and staff have proven to be the catalyst for an incredible change in our school's climate - from cold and closed to warm, open and friendly."
Breaking Down the Walls works on three levels to unite your school.
Day 1
9:00 - 11:30
School wide Assemblies
The first piece involves the entire student body in a schoolwide assembly where a dynamic speaker, using compelling stories and humor, asks students to reflect on themselves and how they interact with those around them on a daily basis. (The school assembly is optional)
Day 1
12:00 - 3:00
Train group leaders
Second, a Learning for Living staff member trains selected students to become small group facilitators. These leaders are selected from different social groups on your campus so the sense of leadership spreads to a student population beyond those traditionally considered for leadership roles. As trained leaders, these students gain skills in facilitation and small group process.
Day 2-5
(minimum of two workshop days)
8:00 - 2:15
Breaking Down the Walls Workshop
The final and most significant piece of Breaking Down the Walls involves assembling 150 different students each day for 2-4 days to work with a Learning for Living facilitator and the trained student leaders in a powerful all day program. Together, students build a common purpose that creates a more compassionate and respectful climate on your campus.
"Breaking Down the Walls is a dynamic student centered program that emphasizes unity among students to create a positive school climate and a feeling of connection to their school... Connections were made, compassion was felt, comradery was built and a clarity of what we want our school to stand for emerged."
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Unlike other programs that narrow in focus, Breaking Down the Walls has a broad vision and its total impact is far reaching. It could easily stand alone as a violence prevention program as it teaches students how to communicate and really listen to teach other, giving them the tools to work together in times of question or conflict . Breaking Down the Walls is also a leadership program as it empowers positive leaders from a variety of peer groups to help create a school climate that is safe, comfortable and supportive for everyone. Both students and staff are invited to participate side by side, thus providing the opportunity for the entire school community to connect.
"I saw a lot of people I wouldn't have even known before this, but now I want to become friends with them ' cause I see they're just like me."
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"Breaking Down the Walls has had a tremendous effect on our campus. BDW's has broken down the typical clique stereotypes that can erode a school's sense of pride, spirit and culture."
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"It has been five months since we did Breaking Down the Walls and kids are still talking about the impact. It made our school much friendlier and a better place to be." -
