• Do you think the SAFE program in school was useful?
• What did you gain?
• Do you think they should continue to have the program in the future? Why?
• Do you think having SAFE classes in school was helpful to the community as a whole? How?
• Answers:

1.       I think that the SAFE program in school was useful. It taught many students and me skills that are necessary in life.

2.       Through SAFE I learned how to deal with stress, pressure, and comments that are hurtful to me. I learned about life and what to expect in the near future. SAFE prepared me for life and taught me lessons that I wouldn't have learned on my own.

3.       The SAFE program should defiantly continue in the future. The program is helpful to kids all over. It helps people understand what is going on in the world and what to expect in life.

4.       The SAFE program gave courage and strength to many students. It helped to undergo life's changes and to understand why everything happens.

1.       I think the program was useful because it gave the students a chance to have a relationship with a teacher. It was a class where we could feel comfortable to say whatever we feel. At the same time, we learned how to deal with common pressures such as peer pressure, stress, friendships, school, gambling, and body image.

2.       From the SAFE class I gained the ability to have a healthy friendship and to understand when someone is not for me. I learned how to deal with stress and what to do if one of my friends is having a problem.

3.       I think the schools should definitely continue to have the programs. There are a lot of drug, drinking, gambling, and anorexia problems in the community, and this is a way to stop these problems before they start. I think that they have helped many teenagers, and probably even changed their lives. As eighth graders, we are going through major changes, and our SAFE teacher was there to help us step by step. It also gives students a class that they can really learn something from, unlike many other classes.

4.       I think that starting off with SAFE programs for children in school is a great way to avoid problems. SAFE brought the community together, and showed us that we have somewhere to go if we have a problem. There, you are not judged, and it is the same in the class. Starting us with SAFE classes at such a young age has put a boulder in front of many problems. It is very important for our generation and for the generations to come.

1.       I think 100 percent it was useful. Everything I learned from it I will carry with me forever.

 

2.       To be aware of dangers out there and basically to stay out of trouble. I learned that for every action you do there are repercussions. Now when I'm at a party I wouldn't think of picking up a drink because of the dangers I learned in school.

 

3.       I feel they must continue there program because everything you learn you will take for life. Kids should be aware of these dangers 1st hand and not to late. So many times kids pick up problems and if they knew what would of have occurred to them they probably wouldn’t have done it.

 

4.       Yes, when a parent sees there kids being protective, the parents realize and they try to be good role models. I believe SAFE program taught my grade not to do drugs.

•  I knew [that] other people had the same problems as me.
• The discussions
•  It was very chilled out
•  We learned about [not doing] drugs
•  One thing I learned is that drugs are deadly if you over abuse them.
•  I learned what happens during stress.
•  I didn’t know exactly what adrenaline was and how it could affect me (before I learned about stress).
•  I enjoyed learning about stress and how to deal with it because we related to it.
•  What I liked about this class is that we learned what would happen to you if you have alcohol.
•   I really learned to understand some of my stress reactions and it helped me to control them.
•   I liked when we spoke about important stuff like drugs and alcohol.
•   I enjoyed talking about alcohol since it doesn’t seem that bad to a lot of people so I think that after the classes along with the assembly the message was received.
•   I learned how to deal with [saying no to] drugs. I can make a joke about it or blame someone like my parents.
•   I liked having most of the work done in class and not at home.
•   I liked learning about weight-ism because it was taught very well. I learned that skinny people are not always happy.
•   I learned many things for instance the affects of tobacco products and alcohol. I liked this because it helped me be aware of making the right choices.

I had the SAFE program in school, and it was awesome!! The teachers were great, and for the most part, the curriculum included topics relevant to girls my age. So thanks for a great time and an insightful course!!

Emily
Via e-mail

In SAFE we learn many different things, it taught me to think before I do something the wrong way. Now I learn and act better than I ever did. SAFE. is a good period that should happen more than once a week. (Our teacher) teaches us step-by-step what to do in situations we cannot handle.

  Alex 

  SAFE taught us how to act and behave when something that you don’t like happens…We get to talk about stuff that happens. If we did bad on a test, we deal with it and talk. If we have bad day, we will talk about what happened and we will feel better.

Alison (5th grade)

SAFE. is a very good experience. SAFE saved me on a test because I didn’t get stressed if I didn’t know an answer. I calmed down and thought instead of getting stressed.

Joe (7th grade)

At home I didn’t fight with my brothers and sister, instead I just went to my room and tried to listen to music like our SAFE teacher said – and it works.

 M. Tawil (Yeshiva of Flatbush student )