Rachel’s Challenge to be presented in Falls district
A presentation before the Falls School Board Monday reveals that bullying is a serious issue in the Falls School District.
LeeAnn Meer of Friends Against Abuse told the board Monday that a statewide study this year shows the incidence of bullying in Falls schools to be significantly higher than in the rest of the state.
A local survey of grades three, four, and five which includes a total of 259 students shows that 90 percent of them feel that they have been bullied in some way, including being hit, kicked or pushed. A disturbing 10 percent of those students report missing school due to the acts of bullying.
The survey of kids in District 361 also reports the following incident percentages (with actual numbers in parentheses):
• 93 percent have been called names (240)
• 88 percent believe bullying is a problem here (227)
• 78 percent have seen someone bullied (200)
• 46 percent had someone be mean to them because of how they look (118)
But a new program is changing the face of bullying, Meer said. The board later approved participation in the Rachel Scott Challenge, a program which specifically challenges students to make a positive change in the way they treat others. The challenge will be presented next October during Domestic Violence month.
“This is sweeping the country,” Meer said. “And it is changing the environment in schools.” She added that the significance of bullying cannot be underestimated because “bullies turn into adult batterers.”
Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School in 1999. The contents of her six diaries which promote acts of kindness and compassion compelled her parents to develop their daughter’s simple but profound message into a traveling presentation, which illustrates the need for more kindness and compassion, particularly in schools.
The goals of Rachel’s Challenge, which has proven models, is to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in schools, businesses and communities by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. “It’s a pay-it-forward philosophy,” Meer said.
Since its inception and implementation in 3,300 schools in 50 states and six countries, documentation has shown the program to have prevented at least seven school shootings or violence, and has prevented dozens of suicides.
A brief overview of the program that is expected to be implemented locally next fall includes a kickoff assembly, including a powerful DVD about Rachel and the Columbine tragedy, to motivate students to start a chain reaction at school; a professionally developed curriculum that teachers use to provide practical ways to practice goal setting, journaling, acceptance and kindness; clubs which sustain the movement of kindness; and an end-of-year celebration that honors the students for working to create a climate of kindness and compassion in their school. The program ends where the challenge begins.
Meer said that it is hoped to include Ranier award-winning author Mary Casanova into the program because she has written a book about bullying. The main characters of Casanova’s book “Chrissa Stands Strong” were brought to life by American Girl’s 2009 “Girl of the Year” dolls and remarkably resulted in the making of an HBO movie about bullying.
Rachel’s Challenge, a non-profit endeavor, comes with the highest acclaims from principals and students around the country in schools which have already implemented Rachel’s Challenge. It is said to have impacted entertainers, politicians, sports celebrities, educators and even two presidents of the United States.
There is some cost to present the non-profit program, which the board approved for both the International Falls elementary and high schools. A variety of package options are available.
A long list of testimonials after having experienced the presentation, includes the following from a 13-year-old student in another city:
“During the speaking I looked around and not only me but many others, including many ‘tough guys,’ were bawling like little babies. Due to my disease, glaucoma, I was considering ending my life the next week. But you changed that. You and Rachel helped me realize how many people truly care about me.”
