SKY Schools Program Returns to Kellogg Middle School

After an overwhelmingly successful pilot last fall, the internationally recognized SKY Schools Program is returning to Kellogg Middle School for a second installment this January. The program is possible thanks to the Portland Office of Violence Prevention's Safer Portland Grant 2025. The grant funds community-based programs that help reduce violence and prioritizes neighborhoods such as Cully, Hazelwood, Eliot and Powellhurst-Gilbert. In total, 72 applications competed for $1 million in funding.

The grant awarded $45,000 to the International Association for Human Valuesfor "SKY Breathwork,"describing it as a program that delivers evidence-based sessions and trauma-informed community supportfor youth, with wellness programming, mentorship, life-skills training and care coordination to prevent violence and stabilize youth in crisis. By supporting innovative, research-backed approaches like SKY Schools, the Office of Violence Prevention demonstrates a commitment to safety and wellbeing for Portland's youth.

Building on the previous success

From October 14-25 2025, SKY Schools taught its two-week curriculum in five Health and PE classesat Kellogg, reaching over 150 studentsin grades 6-8. Students learned the SKY Breathwork™technique-an empirically validated breathing practice that lowers stress hormones and increases social connection-as well as tools for emotional intelligence, positive psychology and conflict management. The results were immediate: by the final Friday, students were comfortable enough to lead the entire breathing sequence themselves.

"I wasn't sure at first that it was going to work out, but by the end of the two weeks my students had really bought in," said Ms. Logan Heyerly, a Health teacher at Kellogg. "The final Friday, they led the whole breathing sequence themselves, and during one of our class periods this week, a couple students led it again."

Students echoed the enthusiasm. One commented that after practicing breathing at home, they "got the best sleep [they'd] gotten in so long." Others appreciated the chance to slow down in the middle of an energetic PE class and felt more focusedand emotionally aware: "SKY is a great idea… I tried it! It does help!" said another student. Participants also highlighted teamwork, creativity and the sense of calm during sessions.

Expanding to a second term with educator training

Encouraged by the impact, Kellogg Middle School has invited the program back for the second quarter in January 2026. This second edition will again serve students during Health/PE classes but will also include a 7.5-hour SKY Wellness workshop for educators, giving teachers practical tools to manage stress and build resilient classrooms. This holistic approach recognizes that the wellbeing of educators directly influences the school environment.

Evidence-based programming supported by the Safer Portland Grant

The SKY Schools Program is delivered by expert faculty from the sister nonprofits The Art of Living Foundationand the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Over the past 17 years, SKY Schools has reached more than 173,000 students, teachers and parentsin 254 schools across the U.S., helping communities manage stress, regulate emotions and make responsible life choices. Independent studies on SKY Breathwork show significant reductions in stress and anxiety and increases in emotional well-being and social connection.