R. Roger Rowe School kicks off its Community Service Learning Program ‘Acts of Kindness’

R. Roger Rowe School, assisted by Student Council Officers, kicked off its Community Service Learning (CSL) Acts of Kindness program by launching “Rachel’s Challenge Week.” Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999. Immediately after the tragedy, her father Darrell began to speak and use writings and drawings from Rachel’s diaries to illustrate the need for a kinder, more compassionate nation. Today, Darrell and over 30 presenters honor Rachel’s life by reaching the nation with Rachel’s simple but profound message.

Last year, the school began its Rachel’s Challenge partnership with an initial presentation by the Rachel’s Challenge Team. This inspirational message and the need to help out students become aware of the world around them, led to the development of an entirely new Community Service Learning Program. According to Assistant Principal Paul Coco, in charge of leading this program, Rachel’s Challenge Week incorporated age-appropriate student assemblies, special student activities, and a kickoff for school-wide acts of kindness, “We wanted to reinforce and demonstrate how one simple act of kindness can contribute to a ‘chain reaction’ of random acts of kindness throughout the campus and community,” Coco said.

Throughout the year, students will receive chain links for their acts of kindness. By the end of the school year, students earn enough links to create a long chain. This chain will serve to symbolize students’ on-going commitment to treat others with kindness and uphold our Mission, Vision, and Values of being a Caring Community, according to Superintendent Lindy Delaney.

For more information on Rachel’s Challenge, please visit, www.Rachelschallenge.org.