On October 29 & 30, the Allegheny Valley School District will its participation in Rachel’s Challenge – a program that addresses the root causes of school violence, bullying, prejudice, and self-harm. Rachel’s Challenge exists to equip and inspire individuals to replace negative actions with acts of respect, kindness, and compassion.
The idea is to help adjust the environment in schools, to bring about kindness and responsible decisions. The programs offered by Rachel’s Challenge are a catalyst that stimulate connection and hope, invite personal reflection, and ignite change. Two programs will begin for students in grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. Grades 5-8 will participate in Rachel’s Story, which introduces younger middle school students to Rachel Scott and her challenge to deliberately reach out to others with kindness. It shows the profound positive impact students can have on those around them by simply paying attention to the little things they do and say every day. Grades 9-12 will attend Rachel’s Challenge, a program that shows the profound positive impact we can have on those around us. It demonstrates the power of deliberately reaching out in word and action, to start what Rachel called “a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.”
A community event will be held on Thursday, October 30 to showcase the program to parents and community members. Your support is vital in carrying out the initiative. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Springdale Jr-Sr High School's Marshall Auditorium. The Event will introduce Rachel and her story to parents and community members using stories from her life and writings. This event is similar in content and intensity to the Rachel’s Challenge high school program, shows the profound positive impact we have on those around us, and encourages participants to examine their own lives in the light of 5 challenges: Look for the Best in Others, Dream Big, Choose Positive Influences, Speak with Kindness, Start your own Chain Reaction.
With this information in mind, we would like to invite you to join us for the Community Event to encourage students throughout our District. Young people need to see adults who support them and practice these same behaviors. Our parents, businesses, organizations, and leaders are an important part of the Allegheny Valley culture. Won’t you please consider attending this important program to champion positivity to our students? Please use the invitation below to RSVP to the Community Event.
Information: Rachel's Story Description