(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) -- The effects of abuse, poverty and neglect that some kids carry with them to school can be like an extra backpack weighing heavily on weak shoulders.

Educators say that explains why some fail, fight or simply shut down.

But new campaigns in schools are beginning to target children who may be in emotional distress and help them heal.

"If we need kids on point, if we need test scores up, we have to help them deal with their baggage," says Kevin "Khao" Cates, a Grammy-nominated music producer and youth motivational speaker who runs one such program. "School is not as important to kids when they are dealing with problems at home. I have kids who come to me saying they have been molested, their mothers are on drugs and they have to take care of their brothers and sisters."

Cates has teamed up with a Fulton County Schools social worker to make social and emotional education a priority. Their new partnership merges two programs being tested at Bear Creek Middle in Fairburn that show kids how to bury their troubled past --- literally.

Eddie Morris' Men of Destiny, which has a companion program for girls, challenges students to write anonymous letters about the pain that haunts them and place the essays in a casket for burial at a funeral service with a preacher. After a period of mourning, students plant a tree symbolizing their new growth.

Cates' program, Bridge Da Gap, uses music to motivate students. The artist, whose clients include T.I., Ludacris and R. Kelly, wrote and performed hip-hop music to accompany his new 19-week curriculum, DVD and textbook. Lessons encourage students to love themselves, graduate and move past any hurt that is hindering their success. It teaches 12 concepts that can help improve futures, including dealing with anger. Songs punctuate lessons for those who learn better with music.

Morris of Bear Creek invited Cates to join him in bringing the program to students. Some teens at nearby Creekside High also participated. Morris said the Fulton campuses have high poverty and suspension rates.

Morris said he and principal Darron Franklin wanted to explore why some students had so many disciplinary issues and were falling behind academically. Creekside High administrators wanted similar data.

In February, students wrote more than 2,000 letters describing troubles they wanted to bury.

"Once we started reading the essays we saw why the kids were having angry outbreaks," Morris said. "They were dealing with rape, abandonment, pregnancy, poverty and low self-esteem. Now, instead of suspending kids, we are coming up with other interventions."

Last week, about 2,000 Bear Creek and Creekside students met at the entrance of their schools to plant a tree. Their problems had been shut inside a casket in February. On Friday, their shredded letters were placed into containers marked "hope" and "dream." Cates performed a motivational song.

Nadir Jackson, a sixth-grader, said he had buried his "foolishness" and had decided to get serious about his education. "I can make a difference in the world," he said. "I was born for a purpose."

School officials say students are sharing their feelings more, discipline referrals have dropped and grade-point averages have increased.

"I had three teachers come to me with tears in their eyes," Morris said. "Because of the burial, [a] kid finally opened up and said that he had been molested repeatedly. He said that was the reason why he was so angry. He had completely shut down and wasn't doing any work whatsoever. Now, they understand."

Copyright 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution