Thank you to the many parents who were able to join us on March 9th to hear Larry Scott, uncle of Rachel Scott, the first of 13 people to be killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.  Those of you who attended know how powerful her story is.  Only 17 years old when she died, Rachel left behind a legacy of kindness.   In her own words, “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.”  Through her writings and the kindness that she demonstrated in her short life, we are asked to accept “Rachel’s Challenge”:

1. Look for the best in others.
2. Dream big.
3. Choose positive influences.
4. Speak with kindness.
5. Start your own chain reaction.

If you missed the presentation, you are invited to go to www.rachelschallenge.org, where you can learn more about this girl who once wrote in a drawing of her own hands, "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will some day touch millions of people's hearts."  Millions of people have indeed heard her story.  Everyone – students, school staff, and parents - who attended this event was moved, many to tears.  Bringing Rachel’s Challenge to the North Smithfield School District was coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Workgroup.  This presentation was a kickoff event to what we hope will be the development of our own chain reaction of kindness.  Friends of Rachel clubs are being established at both the middle school and high school levels, so that students can carry this message forward.  Fifth graders, who were invited to participate so they will be part of the process when they move to the middle school, are not content to wait.  They have already begun their own chain reaction at Halliwell.  If you walk down the halls at the high school, you will see affirming messages on “post its” scattered on lockers and walls.  Students are stepping in and correcting others when they hear negative comments.  At the middle school, sixth graders are doing journal writing, just like Rachel did.

Parents, too, have been invited to be part of the chain reaction.  Larry asked parents to do the following:

• Spend at least 15 minutes of quality time with your children at least three times per week.
• Be a parent, not a friend.
• Be aware of what is going on in your children’s lives. 
• Model kind behavior. 

Watch the website for more information about Rachel’s Challenge in the near future.  For more information about the efforts of the Anti-Bullying Workgroup, click on the Anti-Bullying tab above.