Each day many kids decide to skip school because of fear that they will be bullied. One program wants to change that statistic, by teaching kids compassion and respect for one another. Rachel’s Challenge was started in honor of Rachel Joy Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.
According to its website, Rachel’s Challenge is a “series of student empowering programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying and allay feelings of isolation and despair by creating a culture of kindness and compassion.” The programs are inspired by the writings and outreach of Rachel before she died. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school.
Many school districts around the world have implemented Rachel’s Challenge programs at their schools, the core component of which is described as “a spellbinding and impassioned school assembly that tells the story of Rachel Scott and inspires a desire for change among students.” The big picture idea of the program is to start a chain reaction among the students of respect and kindness. For more information on this program, visit their website: www.rachelschallenge.org.
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