Has your school taken on the challenge? Have your children noticed a difference since taking on the challenge?
Our high school did, and if you ever have a chance to have one of the speakers to your school, please do. It was magnificent. Afterwards a group started a club called FOR (Friends of Rachel) & they've done some really nice things and it definitely has made a difference. They've organized Cancer walks, visits to Children's hospitals, food drives, headed up seminars about bullying. It's been a great experience.
Our school hasn't done this challenge but I wish we could. It is kinda pricey. I had the opportunity to hear the speach from Rachel's brother and it was life changing! If you get the opportunity to hear it... take it. I don't know how it couldn't make a difference.
I am a teacher and I teach in Colorado.
Yes, they just started it last year. One difference is they combined the message with a beloved teacher who passed away several years ago. I don't know if its made a real difference, but there seems to be buy in with students.
Our district has done this for years. As it is a good message, it is over used now and has lost its meaning. I would venture to say it has not made much of a difference in the big picture. As a teacher, I can use the Rachel's Challenge in situations to gear the kids towards using compassion but it is lost the minute they are out of the classroom. I think it really depends on the leadership in the school and how it is implemented. But personally, I am tired of hearing the same story every year and doing the same thing every year. It's time for the message to evolve...
