Newsroom
March 2005
Brooklyn, NY
The Art of Living Foundation ART Excel Course (All ‘Round
Training in Excellence) was taught as a pilot project in March,
2005 to 180 4th graders at Public School 161 in Crown Heights
New York. The professional development program for adults
was also conducted for the 30 teachers of the school as well.
Most students at P.S. 161 come from high at-risk environments,
suffer from stress, anxiety, an inability to focus and learn
well, due to difficult home environments.
After the one week course (15hours), the students attended
6 weeks of follow-up (approximately 1 hour each) designed
to help integrate the practices and wisdom learned into daily
school and home life. As a result, 98% of the students reported
feeling calmer, focused and better prepared for testing. They
also reported feeling less agitated and more confident throughout
the day as well as a greater sense of well-being, as a feeling
that they could achieve more academically.
Additionally, as part of the pilot project, 30 teachers
(mostly 4th and 5th grade teachers) from P.S. 161 attended
the Art of Living Professional Development Seminar. They also
learned skills for releasing stress, managing negative emotions
and life wisdom, paralleling the student course. The teachers
were able to integrate these techniques into the classroom
for student test preparation and effective and more harmonious
classroom management. Teachers reported also finding the knowledge
and techniques learned, beneficial on a personal level. Many
said they felt that whatever amount of stress and tension
a teacher carries, is projected onto their students. Therefore,
if a teacher is calm and focused, the students will be the
same. The teachers found the techniques so valuable for student
learning that they began to use them daily with their entire
class, especially before statewide tests to enhance student
focus and help students remain calm. After taking the ART
Excel Course this March, the 4th Grade Statewide test scores
at P.S. 161 went up 17 percentage points from last year.
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Watch the Video
ART Excel, PS 161 NYC (10 min) :
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Below are
some testimonials from P.S. 161 4th grade students:
"I felt like my mind was able to think more. It made
me focus in class better. I felt more energy and like my asthma
went away."
Reggie, age 9
"ART Excel helped my anger go down! I feel relaxed,
calmness. I felt like I was on clouds."
Nisha, age 9
"I felt like I was a whole different person because
of the ART Excel. It helped me stay focused. I like that it
will help me pass my test coming. It will help me be relaxed."
Eric, age 10
"ART Excel helped me relax, expand my mind and body.
It helped me relax from test stress!!! I love ART Excel!!!"
Sade, age 10
"The class helped me to be calm and be strong. It was
very cool and fun and like my problems went away."
Ali, age 10
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