"Excellent way to reach the kids, get their attention and give them solid information. I appreciated the emphasis on self-empowerment and critical thinking .
--Christina Kowalchuk/8th grade Humanities
"Great feedback from the kids and teachers--thumbs up! Very cool. The kids were hooked! The message was delivered without boring them or hitting them over the head."
--David Goldt/Activities Director
"Great assembly! Kids were really interested and attentive. The Best yet! Well adapted for the different grade levels. Several teachers commented that it was really wonderful with a meaningful message."
--Sarita Turner/Prevention Outreach Counselor
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Since 1996, Bonzai Educational Programs has made Tobacco Prevention and Character Development a priority in school assembly programs. The programs offered this year are:
"No Ifs, Ands or Butts" tobacco education, &, "Its A Matter of Character" character development. These programs have been awarded numerous grants from foundations that include American Lung Association. The programs are an exciting collaboration with Comedian/Juggler Mark Bunnell, and Musician/Juggler Andrea Terry. They have presented at such Health and Prevention Conferences as the Annual Northern California Tobacco Education conference, San Mateo Prevention Conference and Berkeley Youth and Adult Tobacco/Health conferences.
To reinforce message and provide accountability, these programs offer pre and post study guides. Also offered are follow-up In-Class workshops designed to integrate themes covered in assembly and lessons with participatory classroom activities led by the performer/educators.
The tobacco education program, "No Ifs, Ands or Butts" focuses on the themes of: Short and Long term effects of smoking--the addictive nature of nicotine, the targeting of pre-teens and teens in the tobacco advertising, and the media manipulation surrounding the image of smoking. This information along with resilience strategies are employed to empower students to make positive - educated choices regarding their individual lives. This anti-smoking theme is integrated with highly technical juggling routines, comical storytelling, live music circus stunts and physical comedy to keep students and teachers entertained and engaged with the educational message. This program is age appropriate for K-12, targets 4th-8th grades and is designed for the message to be adjusted according to the grade level present.
"Its A Matter of Character" is a motivational program that is based on the principals of character development and self empowerment. Mark Bunnell is a former elementary counselor and family therapist intern and has been working with students for over ten years. Mark integrates juggling, storytelling, magic and comedy with his motivational philosophy. Using these skills and theatrics as vehicles for metaphor,
he explains key steps toward building character and fostering an atmosphere of resiliency in our lives. With a rare combination of clinical knowledge and circus physicality, this show is one of the most exciting and insightful your students will ever see.
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"No Ifs, Ands or Butts" & "It's A Matter of Character"
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Carnival of Chaos About Shows Photos Contact Top of Page
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QUOTES:
"It is amazing how well you connect with the students and are able to deliver a powerful message that they can hear. Your ability to "zoom" in every year is why we keep having you back over and over. I would highly recommend you to any school interested in an exciting and insightful educational program"
--Principal, Jon Fine. Wanda Hirsch School Tracy, California.
"Although I (and the students) enjoyed the more entertaining aspects of your performance, I especially feel that your honesty and the logic of your messages resonated with the kids. I think that your message will have lasting impact.
--Brooke Rocke/Asst. Principal
"This is exactly how students can be compelled to listen to such a serious message. The timing and information was outstanding. Thank you!"
-- Principal, Richard Shaw. Mitchell Middle School Sacramento, California.
"I just saw these performers present a synopsis of their tobacco awareness program and they were very creative, funny and entertaining. More importantly, the whole time they made their points regarding tobacco use prevention clear and to the point."
--Tobacco Control Coordinator, Emily Reynolds. Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services.
"Super assembly! Students were very engaged. Excellent 'hook' with juggling, music, teacher/student involvement. Also, the pre-discussion questions were great. Just an awesome performance, you both have dynamic personalities and do so well with children of this age."
--Fifth grade teacher, Matt Maloney. Alamo Elementary School San Francisco.
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