Early this morning in our commons area, students & staff had a chance to sit through a thought provoking, emotional presentation titled "Rachel's Challenge". According to the Rachel's Challenge website (
http://www.rachelschallenge.org/), Rachel's Challenge includes a series of student empowering, educator motivating programs and strategies called the Awaken the Learner Five -step School Improvement Process that equip students and adults to create and sustain safe, caring and supportive learning environments essential for academic achievement.
The programs are based on the writings and life of 17 year old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. 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. Shortly before her death she wrote,
I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
I would hope each and everyone of us will take time to pause and think about some of the things we heard today. Look at how we treat others, the way we pre-judge others and the way we may say hurtful things to others. I have always told many of the students that come to see me that we are only given today. It is one of the greatest gifts we have. No one is promised tomorrow. If today was truly your last day, why waste it being mean to others or making someone hurt so much that it makes them cry. I hope you will read the five challenges over and over again and see how you can incorporate them into your daily living. Don't let this be something that has had a profound effect on you today and then you forget about it by next week. Write this down in your agenda and memorize it, it will change your life. The five challenges are:
1. Look for the best in others
2. Dream big
3. Choose Positive influences
4. Speak with Kindness
5. Start your own chain reaction
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