Rachel’s Challenge Project
O
n Friday, September 20th 2019 there was an In-Service Day
at Canon-McMillan School District. This day became a very
emotional day for many of the teachers, staff, and certain
invited members of the community because Mr. Darrell Scott
made a very moving presentation in the Canonsburg High School
auditorium. Darrell Scott, was the father of Rachel Joy Scott, who
was the first student killed in the Columbine shootings back on
April 20 1999.
During the first half of his presentation Mr. Scott shared video
footage from that day, along with moving facts about his daughter.
One of Rachel Scott’s role models, for example, was Anne Frank.
Ironically the role model for the Columbine Shooters, Dylan
Klebold and Eric Harris, was Adolf Hitler. In fact, they picked that
day, April 20th, specifically because Hitler’s birthday was April
20, 1889. Diaries were one of the many ways Anne Frank inspired
Rachel Scott. Luckily her parents learned a lot about their daughter
through these diaries that they found. In one of these diaries was a
quote from their daughter,
“I have this theory that if one person will go
out of their way to show compassion, then it
will start a chain reaction of the same.”
This quote is actually what started the Rachel’s Challenge project.
There are five main steps to the Rachel’s Challenge Project, which
Canon-McMillan School district will be implementing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Look for the best in others
Dream Big
Choose positive influences
Speak with kindness
Start your own chain reaction
Borland Manor Elementary and Hills-Henderson Elementary
schools have actually already started one of the steps Mr. Scott had mentioned
with their positive entries into class. Students can pick a high five, fist bump, or
hug from their teacher upon entering class. Mrs. Shelly Brose (principal of
Hills-Henderson) and Mrs. Marella McConnell (principal of Borland Manor)
are also leading their Professional Development this year with their staff
using one of the Rachel’s Challenge books, Chain Reaction: A Call to a
Compassionate Revolution. They purchased the books after seeing Mr.
Scott’s presentation. They hope to continue to integrate kindness and
compassion along with our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
(PBIS) and TEAMology tenants of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
programming.
The second half of Mr. Scott’s presentation went on to describe other
ways that Rachel’s Challenge can be implemented in the school district.
Establishing a connection between students and teachers by having the
teachers start the day with three facts about themselves was another
example that he provided.
Canon-McMillan School district is eager to get Rachel’s Challenge
implemented into the school district and has already begun the process
in some schools. Mrs. Lorien Moyer, who was on sabbatical but was
in attendance on this day, will be a key factor in getting this project
started upon her return. Canon-Mac looks forward to spreading kindness
throughout the district with this project and is excited to see the chain
reaction!
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CANON-MAC
Mr. Darrell Scott and Mr. Michael Daniels (Rachel Joy
Scott photo in the background)
Mr. Darrell Scott with police officers from North
Strabane Township, Canonsburg Borough and
Cecil Township police departments