Rachel’s Challenge Coming to MHS September 29

Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Rachel was known for her kindness and compassion and positive ways of interacting with peers; the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for the “Rachel’s Challenge” program.

Rachel’s Challenge is coming to Medford High School on Thursday, September 29th. The program will begin with two assemblies at Medford High School. Powerful video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy will characterize a one hour school presentation that motivates students to treat others in more positive, empathetic ways. All grade 9 and 10 students at Medford High School will attend the assemblies.

The assemblies will be followed by a separate interactive 90 minute training session involving both adult and student leaders that shows how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly. The assembly creates the “want to” or desire for positive change. The training session teaches the “how to” and ensures that the positive impact will continue.

Community Invited to Participate in Evening Event

The evening of September 29th, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Caron Theater at Medford High School, the Rachel’s Challenge speaker will conduct a powerful session with parents and community leaders. This session is similar to the assembly program and ends with a specific challenge to parents and community leaders, showing them how they can reinforce the positive decisions Medford youth are making.

Entertainers, politicians, sports celebrities, educators, and even two Presidents of the United States have been impacted by Rachel’s Challenge. However, students are the target audience and, based on many reviews of the program, students have proven that they will respond with positive words, attitudes, and actions. My hope is that the Medford High School community will feel a tremendous positive impact as a result of the Rachel’s Challenge program.

I would like to invite all members of the community, including members of the School Committee, to attend the Rachel’s Challenge community event on Thursday, 9/29/11 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Caron Theater at Medford High School. There are about 350 seats in the Caron Theater. Let’s fill the place and take what we can from this program to make a significant difference for our kids.

For more information, please contact Support Specialist David Blauch at Medford High School at 781-393-2303, or visit www.rachelschallenge.org.

– Information from www.medfordpublicschools.org