In part reprinted from Rachel?s Challenge
Click here to visit rachelschallenge.org/big-picture/about-rachels-challenge
? ?Each day 160,000 students do not go to school because they are bullied, teased and harassed. By turning the story of a tragic death at Columbine High School into a mission for change, Rachel’s Challenge is helping create safer learning environments and making a world-wide impact. {{more}}
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? ?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 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,
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“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.”?
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? ?Rachel’s Challenge was started by Rachel’s dad and stepmom, Darrell and Sandy Scott when they realized that the writings and drawings Rachel left not only had an impact on her friends and classmates, but also resonated with students around the world. Although Rachel was a typical teenager who even wrote about her “ups and downs,” she had a passion and conviction that she would someday change the world. The Scott family knew her story and passion had to be told to inspire others to make their world a better place.
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? ?More than 18 million people have been touched by Rachel’s message, and they continue the legacy of making a difference in their communities. Each year at least 2 million more people are added to that number. These are just a couple of the results of Rachel’s Challenge. In one survey, 78% more students indicated they would definitely intervene in a bullying incident in their school after seeing Rachel’s Challenge. In a recent 24 month period, Rachel’s Challenge received more than 450 emails from students who indicated that they changed their mind about taking their own life after hearing Rachel’s Challenge.
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? ?Kennedale High School has decided to bring the program to community and has ask for support from the City of Kennedale City Council, the Kennedale School Board, the community at large as well as the students and staff of KISD. There is a student assembly scheduled for November 14th at 10 am and then a “Challenge” at 12:55 pm with selected students, parents and staff and at least one member of the Board and City Council in attendance. A “Community Event” is scheduled that evening at 6:30 pm. on the campus of Kennedale High School and the Performance Arts Center and is open to everyone.
