Pattonville Heights students sign on to Rachel's Challenge

Pattonville Heights students sign on to Rachel's Challenge
Monday, October 12, 2009
Pattonville Heights Middle School participated in a powerful school-based program called Rachel’s Challenge on Sept. 24. The program is based on the life and writings of Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

Rachel's Challenge consisted of a student assembly, a peer/leadership training session and an evening community event. On Sept. 24, students attended the Rachel’s Challenge assembly, during which they learned about Rachel’s acts of kindness and the contents of her diaries. During the assembly, students were given four challenges:
  • Treat others the way you want to be treated.
  • Dream big and believe in yourself.
  • Appreciate everyone. Mock no one.
  • Use the power of positive gossip.
The parent and community event was held the same day. The assemblies challenged students and adults to create a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. The idea was derived from an essay Rachel wrote, in which she said, “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.”  After the assembly, students signed banners stating their intent to take up Rachel's Challenge to start a chain reaction of kindness.

A group of students and adult leaders at Heights also attended a training session that showed how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly. The group will evolve into an after-school club called The Chain Links Club. Teachers were asked to select students who displayed kindness, compassion and a positive attitude to take part in the club.  These students (about 20 per grade level) received a letter inviting them to participate in the program.  Other students may also participate in the club's after-school activities.  The goal of the club is to continue the momentum of kindness and compassion started by the assembly. Some activities of the club will include:
  • New Student Program - work to help new students on their first day of school and follow up for first few weeks;
  • Kindness Letters - recognize staff members around the building/district with letters thanking them for kindness, help or service;
  • School Outreach - fund-raising for school projects or the needs of an individual student or student's family; and
  • Community Outreach - fund-raising, collections for organizations outside school (Ronald McDonald House, Adopt-A-Soldier, etc.).

The program was funded by the Pattonville Education Foundation through its annual grant program and a special Fred Weber Inc. Grant. The Pattonville Heights PTO also provided funding. Dawn Osman, a reading specialist at Heights, wrote the grant for the program.  
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Above, students at Pattonville Heights sign a banner signifying they are accepting Rachel's Challenge.