Reflecting on Advice from Rachel!

Remember earlier this school year when MHS presented "Rachel's Challenge"?? Well just in case you may not, I am going to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the message she shared...what happened at MHS today should give pause to everyone...adults & kids alike.

Here are 5 things that Rachel Scott, a very insightful teenager, the first victim of the school tragedy in Columbine, Colorado back in 1999, challenged ALL of us to do:

Challenge #1: Treat others the way you want to be treated!

Challenge #2: Dream Big, Believe in yourself!

Challenge #3: Appreciate everyone and mock no one!

Challenge #4: Use the power of positive gossip!

Challenge#5: Forgive and be forgiven!

Here's the thing, I know that fear can be paralyzing, and that many students and parents felt that very feeling today...some students may have "laughed it off" but laughter is a coping mechanism...regardless of what the tough ones said today...they were nervous too.... thankfully the outcome today was overall a good one.

But for the student that began this snowballing situation life will never be the same...and we need to remind ourselves to show him/her a little compassion too, because there is surely more to his/her story than we know or understand. "

I have this theory that if one person can go out and show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go." ~ Rachel Scott