Rachel's Challenge at Tyl This Week; The Power of Kindness

There is nothing more powerful for kids, especially ‘tween and teen--aged ones, than to be praised and loved by their peers. When one kid says something kind to another it’s major. How do I know? I have 15-year-old twins – boy and girl – and I have seen first hand the pain caused by hateful things said but the greater power of just one kind word from a peer. Being nice matters. 

Rachel's Challenge at Tyl

Rachel’s Challenge is slated for Thursday and Friday of this week at Tyl Middle School. Many have heard of this program but for those who are unfamiliar a short course is in order. On Thursday, Rachel’s Story assembly for 6^th grade students will be held. Parents are welcome to attend the morning presentation and educators are hoping parents will RSVP to jlilienthal@montvilleschools.org. 

And on Friday Oct. 5, a group of nearly 100 7^th grade students will take the power of Rachel’s challenge one step further with the Chain Reaction program. Like an in-school retreat, Rachel’s Chain Reaction is a powerful program designed to “build community and to help stop the teasing and alienation that are so deeply part of the middle school experience for millions of young people everyday” and sadly, far too many kids at Tyl, too.  No school is immune.

The Rachel's Challenge objectives

To help create a safe learning environment by re-establishing civility and delivering proactive antidotes to violence, bullying, and suicide. 

Improving achievement by engaging the heart, head, and hands in the learning process. 

Providing social/emotional education that is both colorblind and culturally relevant.

Training adults to inspire, equip and empower students of all ages to affect permanent positive change in themselves, their school or business and the community.

Rachel was the first person killed at Columbine  

From Rachel’s Challenge website:

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.

Rachel's Challenge is a series of student empowering programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying and ally 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,

"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."

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.”