taking rachel’s challenge {teaching kindness through tradgedy}

Two weeks ago my teammie and I attended a training session about Rachel’s Challenge. No, it’s not me! This is a foundation {for lack of a better word} started by the family of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine shooting in 1999.

Now, in 1999 I was 17, a senior in high school, and not too concerned about school shootings.

Ironically, Rachel Scott was 17, a senior in high school, and probably not concerned either.

I won’t go into her whole story because frankly the video {see below} tells it all far better. I will say as a parent-this video crushes me. I cannot imagine not knowing if my children were alive or dead for hours upon hours. Calling out to every bus load of survivors. Scanning lists of names to see if my child had gotten out of the school. Even if you are not a parent, you are certainly a teacher!

Here's the link to the video:

http://www.rachelschallenge.org/quicklinks/event-prep-materials/

The one in particular is RC PROMO, the third one from the left on the top row.

Since the training I have learned more and more about her short, but powerful life. Not only did she write in her journal that this was her last year {written in 1999}-which is amazing enough here are a few more chilling things.

After her death, her family was moving furniture in her bedroom. On the back of her dresser she had traced her hand and written that one day this hand would touch the hearts of millions. She was 13.

A few days after her death a stranger called her father. He said he had been thinking of him and had been having a recurring dream about 13 tears falling onto a book. Her father responded that this didn’t have any meaning and after a little convo, didn’t think anything more about it. Later on her journal {which had a bullet hole through it} was given back to her family. Inside Rachel had drawn a picture of tears. There were 13 people who lost their lives that day…

the whole thing gives me chills.

Here’s the purpose behind this post. As a school team responsible for starting parts of the Challenge Here's how we are starting {for real-this is straight up from the school email!}:

*Chain links - start hanging them in the hall and giving them out for acts of KINDNESS and COMPASSION

*Take your class to sign the Rachel's Challenge pledge banner. 

*Remember that children will have questions about Rachel and some already know how she died. Be honest, but positive and move on to why her life was important and how we can honor her.

*Like "Rachel's Challenge" on Facebook for updates and more information!

Be kind and compassionate! 

Another awesome thing is that all the trainers work directly with the family. Claudia was our trainer.

And here’s the challenges put forth to our school family:

o Look for the Best in Others
o Dream Big
o Choose Positive Influences
o Speak with Kindness
o Start Your Own Chain Reaction

I made a little poster set for my classroom and school fam. Obviously it’s free. Click away below!

interested in more:

There is a substantial number of Public Service Announcements that have recognized speakers.  Here’s that link:

http://www.stompoutbullying.org/celebrity_psas_and_videos.php#top