Student leaders will be the kindness role models at Berner Middle School in the Massapequa School District, with the March 10 Rachel’s Challenge presentation serving as inspiration for new initiatives.
Rachel’s Challenge is a school bullying and violence prevention program in honor of Rachel Joy Scott who died in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and was known for her compassion and kindness. Presenter Keyona Williams hosted three grade-level presentations followed by a workshop for students leaders.
The sixth grade presentation gave students an overview of Rachel’s story and the mission of the nonprofit organization. The program with seventh and eighth graders went deeper as they attended Rachel’s Challenge presentations last year. They learned about the legacy they can leave using Rachel’s life and values as inspiration.
Student council and class officers, as well as members of the Chiefs Challenge Club, took part in a leadership workshop in the afternoon with Ms. Williams. They discussed the messages from the presentations and how students can work together to foster a culture of kindness at Berner. In small groups, they came up with ideas for projects that could be put into place and have a positive and lasting impact on the school.
Ms. Williams encouraged students to think of small but creative visual reminders of kindness that could be placed around the school. She also shared other ideas including a chain links project that would showcase acts of kindness carried out by students, and facilitating handwritten notes of appreciation to people in the school.
Eighth grader Jake H., treasurer of the student council, hopes the message of Rachel’s Challenge becomes a way of life at the school because spreading kindness and inclusivity should everyday occurrences.
“It's a wonderful thing for Berner,” he said. “We are learning to combat negativity with kindness.”
Gabriella L., secretary of the eighth grade class, added of Rachel’s Challenge, “I think it will have a very big impact on the school and I think a lot of people can learn from it, how one kind word can go a long way. If one person starts to be kind, it can spread throughout the whole school.”
Ms. Williams reminded students that they have the power to create change, to set the tone for how they interact with each other, and to create a school community they can be proud of. Dean of Students Kristen Meoli, who coordinated the program, added that Rachel’s story is inspirational and can have a long-lasting impact. Having a speaker from Rachel’s Challenge at the school in consecutive years reinforces Berner’s commitment to building a culture of kindness, empathy and connection.
“You could feel the shift in the room as students connected with the stories, reflected on their choices, and recognized the power their words and actions hold, and how they can use that power to start their own chain reaction of kindness in the world around them,” Ms. Meoli said. “Each time students were presented with their grade-level challenges within the presentation, it sparked meaningful conversations and encouraged positive action throughout our school community. The messages learned from Rachel's Challenge empowers our students to recognize the profound impact they can have on one another and motivates them to be catalysts for lasting change.”