DANCERS FOR
A DIFFERENCE
A DIFFERENCE
Just For Kix Advocacy Against Bullying
EMBRACING DIFFERENCES & STANDING UP AGAINST BULLYING
Just For Kix dance programs and classes are built on mutual respect for teammates, instructors, and those we compete with. This foundation provides Just For Kix the opportunity to inform, educate and influence youth about bullying.
A BRIGHT LIGHT.
Our organization was affected in 2012, when a former Just For Kix dancer took her life due to being bullied. Her bright light and future full of potential was taken away from her family, friends and her former Just For Kix team.
We hope our efforts moving forward engaging youth in our dance classes and other areas where our messaging can make an impact, will empower one to stop, think and take action. Whether the one being bullied, the one participating in bullying or being a witness, we believe it takes just one person to make a difference and to do what's right.
We hope our efforts moving forward engaging youth in our dance classes and other areas where our messaging can make an impact, will empower one to stop, think and take action. Whether the one being bullied, the one participating in bullying or being a witness, we believe it takes just one person to make a difference and to do what's right.
WHAT WE’RE DOING.
“WHAT WE’RE DOING.Utilizing our dance classes, anti-bullying curriculum is used to educate dancers on the subject. Our goal is to engage those in our classes to not only commit to anti bullying practices within their dance class, but more importantly in their day-to-day lives. Curriculum is designed to allow our Youth Dance Directors to implement ways that generate awareness and reinforce the importance of the message to dancers.
"We not only need to educate our youth on how to protect and stand up for themselves, but also to empower them to stand up for others," Cindy Clough, Just For Kix Executive Director shared. "Our dance classes will be a safe place for youth, where bullying will not be tolerated. It goes along well with our TEAM work focus.”
"We not only need to educate our youth on how to protect and stand up for themselves, but also to empower them to stand up for others," Cindy Clough, Just For Kix Executive Director shared. "Our dance classes will be a safe place for youth, where bullying will not be tolerated. It goes along well with our TEAM work focus.”
OUR DANCER’S CREED
As a member of Just For Kix I agree to be an advocate against bullying. I will not partake in any form of bullying, both inside and outside the dance studio.I promise to take action whenever I witness bullying.I am a DANCER.I make a difference.
“Never be bullied into silence, Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no on’s definition of your life, but define yourself.”
- Harvey Flerstein
- Harvey Flerstein
Dawn Swiers, the past Kasson-Mantorville Just For Kix Director, teaches directors on the initial development of a 5-week curriculum program.
Join the movement
#NobodyisYOU
#NobodyisYOU
"What I have learned is there is no one like you. Working with dancers my entire life, many times I wish I could share the wisdom and confidence
that I have gained as I have grown older.
Often we become an 'IMITATION'
when we should embrace the fact that
we are an 'ORIGINAL.'"
- Cindy Clough | Founder and Executive Director | Just For Kix
Join the #NobodyisYOU movement today.
Use #NobodyisYOU and tag @officialjustforkix a photo or video of yourself on Instagram.
Whether it's a dance move or simply a smile, show the whole world what makes you special,show what makes you YOU and ORIGINAL...Because #NobodyisYOU
We will feature the best posts on this website. Each month we will have a new motivational goal,
and YOU can help us achieve it.
that I have gained as I have grown older.
Often we become an 'IMITATION'
when we should embrace the fact that
we are an 'ORIGINAL.'"
- Cindy Clough | Founder and Executive Director | Just For Kix
Join the #NobodyisYOU movement today.
Use #NobodyisYOU and tag @officialjustforkix a photo or video of yourself on Instagram.
Whether it's a dance move or simply a smile, show the whole world what makes you special,show what makes you YOU and ORIGINAL...Because #NobodyisYOU
We will feature the best posts on this website. Each month we will have a new motivational goal,
and YOU can help us achieve it.
Crumpling Up Paper
A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up. Stamp on it and really mess it up, but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it that they were sorry. Now even though they said they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullys another child. They may say sorry, but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home. Pass it on, or better yet, if you’re a parent or a teacher, do it with your child/children.
Do’s & Don'ts
DO'S
• Tell a teacher if you are being bullied in school.
• Help someone if they are being bullied by telling an adult or by being a friend
•Feel less alone by talking to someone.
DON'TS
• Remember the Golden Rule. Don't fight back or seek revenge.
• Don't ignore the situation by keeping it to yourselfDon't blame yourself.
• The bully most likely has issues of his or her own
A sampling of What to DO and what NOT TO DO when you see a bully as posted on dosomething.org
• Tell a teacher if you are being bullied in school.
• Help someone if they are being bullied by telling an adult or by being a friend
•Feel less alone by talking to someone.
DON'TS
• Remember the Golden Rule. Don't fight back or seek revenge.
• Don't ignore the situation by keeping it to yourselfDon't blame yourself.
• The bully most likely has issues of his or her own
A sampling of What to DO and what NOT TO DO when you see a bully as posted on dosomething.org
THE STARFISH STORY
A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, "Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can't save all these starfish. You can't begin to make a difference!"The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,"Well, I made a difference to that one!"
The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.
Adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.
Adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
A common Problem
GET FAMILIAR
There are many definitions for what bullying is. There are also several forms of bullying. Here are a few basics to help you become more familiar with the issue.
As listed on violencepreventionworks.org, bullying is an aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power. Most often, it is repeated over time and done by both girls and boys.
As listed on stompoutbullying.org, bullying comes in multiple forms.
• Physical
• Emotional Intimidation
• Sexual
• Verbal
• Racist
• CyberA
COMMON PROBLEM
• BULLYING IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS TODAY.*
• ESTIMATED 160,000 CHILDREN MISS SCHOOL EVERY DAY DUE TO FEAR OF ATTACK OR INTIMIDATION*
• ONE INCIDENT OF BULLYING EVERY SEVEN MINUTES*
• TWO OUT OF THREE TEENS ARE VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY HARASSED EVERY YEAR*
* As posted on dosomething.org
There are many definitions for what bullying is. There are also several forms of bullying. Here are a few basics to help you become more familiar with the issue.
As listed on violencepreventionworks.org, bullying is an aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power. Most often, it is repeated over time and done by both girls and boys.
As listed on stompoutbullying.org, bullying comes in multiple forms.
• Physical
• Emotional Intimidation
• Sexual
• Verbal
• Racist
• CyberA
COMMON PROBLEM
• BULLYING IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS TODAY.*
• ESTIMATED 160,000 CHILDREN MISS SCHOOL EVERY DAY DUE TO FEAR OF ATTACK OR INTIMIDATION*
• ONE INCIDENT OF BULLYING EVERY SEVEN MINUTES*
• TWO OUT OF THREE TEENS ARE VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY HARASSED EVERY YEAR*
* As posted on dosomething.org
Dancers For A Difference
Join in the fight against bullying. Help make a difference by participating in our advocacy programs designed to educate and inform youngsters about this pervasive issue.
Through our Dancers For A Difference program, we aim to supplement dance classes and other activities by helping provide everyone—dancers, instructors, and coaches alike—with the tools they need to combat bullying when they see it, and know just how serious an issue it really is. Bullying is now considered one of the most common forms of violence in schools today. Now you can do your part to combat it.
First comes awareness. Learn to recognize the signs of bullying and what behaviors someone who is either bullying or being bullied might display. Bullying can take many forms. It could be physical abuse, verbal intimidation, cyber harassment—you name it. Then, feel empowered enough to take action. If we stand by and do nothing, the problem continues.
By standing up and getting involved—either when we see someone getting bullied or are experiencing it ourselves—is critical for stamping out the problem. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to get the ball rolling, a philosophy encapsulated in our Dancer's Creed:
"As a member of Just For Kix I agree to be an advocate against bullying. I will not partake in any form of bullying, both inside and outside the dance studio.I promise to take action whenever I witness bullying. I am a DANCER. I make a difference."
We hope you'll take the creed, learn more about Dancers For A Difference, and wear the Just For Kix logo with pride as we join together to take on this important issue.
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