Rachel’s Challenge

From Debbi Fincher & Angie Atwell at The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition – this will be something to plan towards:

Please join us for a complimentary presentation of the powerful story of Rachel Scott on February 8 at the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons at 6:15 pm following a family-friendly dinner prepared by the Food for Thought folks at 5:15 pm at the High School Commons. Donation for dinner suggested.

Rachel Scott

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her father, Darrell Scott, founded Rachel’s Challenge – a school program designed to curtail bullying and violence based on her dairies and acts of kindness and compassion.

The program will include a one-hour audio/video presentation motivating students to positively change the way they treat others, followed by a 90-minute training session involving both adults and students on how to sustain these goals.

Rachel’s Challenge is based on achieving five elements: eliminating prejudice, daring to dream, choosing influences, words of kindness, and starting a chain reaction in our community. Schools and communities who have experienced Rachel’s Challenge report positive, long-lasting changes for the better.

Thanks to generous donations from San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, San Juan Island Community Foundation, Minor Reinforcement, FHES PTA, FHMS PTA, and FHHS PTSA, there will be two daytime assemblies for students and one evening presentation for the community.  Students in grades K-5 will have an assembly presentation at 9:45am at FHES and the assembly for students in grades 6-8 will be at noon at FHMS.

A community-wide presentation of Rachel’s Challenge will be given at 6:15pm at the FHMS Commons.  The evening presentation is geared towards teens and adults and is not appropriate for children under the age of seven.

Recent studies support and advocate regular “family meals,” linking family meals to increases in positive behaviors (better grades in school; higher self-esteem) and lowered rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders and depression.   We encourage you to enjoy a family dinner on February 8th as we kick off our community effort towards understanding through building kindness and compassion.  The Food for Thought Program will be providing a “family friendly” dinner prior to the evening event, beginning at 5:15pm in the FHHS Commons.  Suggested donation for dinner is $10.

Through an in kind donation from the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, free child care will be provided for the evening presentation of Rachel’s Challenge. Please note:  child care is for children 3 years and older and will be available at the San Juan Island Community Presbyterian Church.  Drop off time for childcare begins at 5:30pm and children should be picked up by 7:30pm.  Light snacks will be offered on location.   Island Rec’s STAR Afterschool Program Director, Alice Hibberd, will be organizing the free childcare. Please call 378-9722 to preregister your young child ages 3-7. Space is limited and we want to offer parents with young children the opportunity to attend this powerful presentation.

The mission of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition is to reduce substance abuse in youth and to create a community culture supporting healthy choices and responsible behaviors in youth and adults. Rachel’s Challenge promotes treating others with kindness and compassion; you just may change the world you live in!

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