Welcome to Atzmi’s “My Best Self” Project!
We are thrilled that you have chosen to partner with us in our mission to support the well-being of our girls. This welcome packet is designed to assist you in navigating our “My Best Self” Project. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Program Structure
Our program consists of:
Student Workshops
Parent Seminars
Teacher Trainings
We recommend conducting the parent and teacher seminars before the student workshops for optimal outcome. However, we understand the challenges of scheduling and know that this isn’t always possible.
1: Student Workshops - Girl’s Program
Duration: 4 weeks, one workshop per week. The workshops are designed to be done in 4 one-hour sessions. If your class periods are shorter than one hour, then it is recommended that the sessions be broken up into a maximum of 6 sessions.
This program is empirically designed. While the girls may want to have more discussion, deviating from the prescribed time frame might result in different outcomes where THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM COULD BE COMPROMISED and as such, we can no longer guarantee the outcome.
Facilitator Qualifications: We prefer the workshops be led by a faculty member other than the regular classroom teacher. This person should have a strong rapport with the girls and should have a certain level of comfort with the topics presented. The goal of this is that the presenter is familiar with the school sensitivities and culture, that sessions be scheduled when most convenient, and that no cost is incurred in bringing in an external facilitator.
Ideally, the facilitator will have experience in the classroom setting AND has a mental health background as well. The workshops are clearly laid out and user- friendly but someone with the skill of sharing stories and thinking out-of-the-box is a bonus!Curriculum and Training: The program requires use of a web browser or PowerPoint AND internet access in the classroom and projector.
To gain access the curriculum, please email shirli@atzmi.org. This will give you access to all training materials and videos. We recommend you take notes while you watch the training videos and document any questions you would like answered. The PowerPoint presentations contain extensive facilitator notes which can be used for your benefit as well.
If you would like to set up some time to meet with Dr. Forta to go over any questions you may have, please reach out to shirli@atzmi.org to set this up. The slides in the Atzmi portal are watermarked.Once you have completed the training, and are ready to implement the program, you will need to set up a 15 minutes meeting with Dr. Forta. Use this link at least 3 days prior to your start date. Once this meeting is complete you will be given access to the PowerPoint slides without watermarks.
Running the program requires either a web browser or PowerPoint as well as internet access and a projector or screen for students to see the slides.
Journals: Journals accompany the girls workshop and are needed for each student participating. Use the form below to order your journals, cost is $10 per student, plus the cost of shipping. Girls are responsible to keep and bring their journals to sessions.
Surveys: Surveys are to be distributed and directions explained to the girls before the first workshop and then again after the final workshop. We keep track of changes by numbering all surveys. The pre survey comes with an ID number. Instruct students to record this number in their journal.
It is important that the students understand that their responses are completely anonymous not only to Atzmi, but to the school as well. Remind students that even though the numbers are tracked, their surveys are completely anonymous. Ask students to answer as honestly as they can. The goal of the survey is to see if the program does in fact have a positive impact. We do not gain anything from “generous responses”.
Surveys should be mailed back in the prelabeled envelope upon the completion of the program.Part of how this heavily subsidized program works is due to the research in collecting the pre and post surveys. If a school opts not to participate in those or does not return the completed surveys, we would then be required to charge $100 per student.
Important Note: Do not share login information or materials. These are the property of Atzmi and we do not give permission for any of this content to be shared or used in any other way. All materials are exclusive to the intended context in order to maintain the program's integrity and data collection accuracy. We work hard to maintain an empirically based curriculum and are able to subsidize our program at schools because of this. Please respect what we have created and do not use any materials outside the context of the entire Atzmi Student curriculum.
We are constantly working to improve our program and would love to hear the presenter’s feedback at the conclusion of the student workshops.
2: Parent Seminar
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes of speaking, plus ample time for questions.
Objective: Our parent workshop supports parents in understanding what body image is, how it is created, the role this can play in how our children feel about themselves, and what you can do today to help your daughter cultivate a more positive self image. The workshop also explains eating disorders and what to do if you suspect your child might be struggling with one.
In-person or virtual: This training can be hosted virtually, but it is advisable that it be done in person. The cost is $150 for a virtual seminar.
If schools prefer an in-person session, they will cover all travel expenses for Dr. Forta.
3: Teacher Training
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes of speaking, plus ample time for questions.
Objective: This workshop is designed for teachers. It addressed how to identify and address weight bias and weight stigma, what eating disorders are, the signs and symptoms of them, and how to create a healthier classroom dynamic, as well as what you should do if you suspect your student is struggling with an eating disorder.
In-person or virtual: This training can be hosted virtually, but it is advisable that it be done in person. The cost is $150 for a virtual seminar.
If schools prefer an in-person session, they will cover all travel expenses for Dr. Forta.
Note:
Many schools choose to have the parent and teacher workshop on the same day.
It is recommended that the parent seminar and teacher training be done before the student workshops for maximum success.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Thank you for your commitment to our girls! We look forward to partnering with you to help our girls!
All questions help us continue to make our program better.
CHECKLIST:
I ordered correct # of journals with a couple extras for each grade
I allowed minimally 2 weeks time to train in facilitating the workshop
I met with Dr. Forta upon completing training
I requested final presentation slides 3 days prior to start of workshops
I implemented survey completion before start of first workshop
I implemented survey completion upon the end of last workshop