Schools
Macedonia Elementary Accepts Rachel's Challenge
Students and parents alike heard presentations on Monday about the new program being implemented at the school.
students accepted Rachel's Challenge on Monday. This is the national character education program promoting kindness in schools. The program is named after Rachel Scott who was the first child killed in the Columbine tragedy on April 29, 1999.
Students were introduced to the program during a school assembly where they were challenged to "create a chain reaction" of kindness. The goal of the program is to inspire children to create a positive atmosphere at school for everyone. Students were given the opportunity to accept this challenge and to sign their names on a banner that will hang at the school.
Parents were invited to the school Monday evening to see a similar, yet more detailed explanation of the program and its origin. Parents were shown graphic video clips and personal witness stories of Rachel's life and death at the presentation.
Find out what's happening in Holly Springs-Hickory Flatwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
They were also shown how participating will change the children's lives for the better. This same presentation will be made to middle schools and high schools in the county this week. Parents left the meeting feeling inspired to help make this great change in the school but also reminded of the great sadness that occurred that day at Columbine.
Principal Tammy Castleberry wrote to Holly Springs Patch "There is no doubt that bringing Rachel’s Challenge to the school and promoting random acts of kindness and compassion is the most important “nonacademic” focus that I will have this year. I fully agree as one of the proponents of the program stated, 'We have to reach their hearts before we can teach their minds.'"
Find out what's happening in Holly Springs-Hickory Flatwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Macedonia is the first elementary school in the county to join the program.
"I believe it isimportant to start instilling kindness and compassion to students when they are young, and it will become a part of who they are," Castleberry said.
"Each and every one of us can make a difference in our world, and when we empower students to believe that they, too, can make a difference, we truly can start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion."