Rachel's Challenge

What are your initial reactions to the Rachel's Challenge presentation in which you participated today? Thoughts, questions, concerns....

Weekly Challenge

Weekly Challenge:

Introduce yourself to someone that you don't know--someone at school, in the community, at the store. Start a short conversation. You never know, you might meet a new friend, business contact, or a future boyfriend/girlfriend. Either way, you have nothing to lose.

Sam M's Questions for you...

The following statement/questions were posted by Sam M.:

My questions to everyone, although possibly the answers may be unattainable, are this:

Why do we feel the need to put up the barriers around us to block something different from us out, yet we say we're up to learn about and try new things?

and

Why not become part of the solution instead of fueling the problem?

I believe that if we can answer those questions and find ways to integrate new things into peoples lives little by little then we may be able to stop the bullying and start something great!

Presidential Election

Take this survey to help you determine which Presidential Candidate is most aligned with your view points.

I updated the link. This one should work better. Sorry about that.

Rachel's Challenge

This Thursday Riverside High School is going to participate in an assembly called Rachel's Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone willing to accept it---treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in. The staff of Riverside High School is in the process of completeing preparatory work to insure that the students can emotionally handle the magnitude of the subject matter. The goal is not to glorify school violence or to promote it as a solution, but rather to educate our students and show the importance of positive living. In an effort to accomplish this goal, we are also inviting parents and community members to view the presentation and accept Rachel's Challenge on Thursday evening. Please make it a point to come to Riverside High School at 7pm on Thursday to listen and learn. It might just change your world.

Invitation:

If you are an individual that cares about kids, cares about where our society is headed, or are just plain compassionate...I invite you to come hear an incredible story of courage and hope.

Columbine High School: A Time To Remember. A Time To Hope.

Rachel's Challenge: You just might start a chain reaction.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone who will accept it--treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.

Riverside High School Auditorium/Gym
March 13, 2008
7pm-8pm
Please Attend!!!
Advised: No young children.

This is a very emotional and moving presentation given by Rachel's family members. The family, soon after the Tragedy, made a pledge to visit as many middle schools and high schools in the United States to spread Rachel's Challenge. 9 years later and they are still carrying on Rachel's Challenge. I strongly urge you to attend. It will change your life.

The X Variable...

In class we have been discussing the roles that we choose from day to day and from event to event. Specifically in class, we have discussed the roles of individuals who were directly and indirectly affected during World War II and then again in the Vietnam Conflict. We have even taken a step closer to our personal knowledge base and discussed the roles that we choose in our day to day lives within our school building; specifically when it comes to stereotyping and prejudices. In preparation for Thursday's assembly, "Rachel's Challenge," we began discuss Columbine, school violence, and from where it might stem.

Over the last two days we watched the film, "Bang, Bang, You're Dead." We watched as a trouble student goes on an amazing journey to figure out right from wrong, while choosing roles that are dangerous and then again hopeful. The roles of perpetrator, bystander, victim, and rescuer are witnessed and sometimes by the same character. Each individual in the movie has a point and shows a perspective of ourselves and those around us. In short...not one person is ever the only person to blame in the end. Think about the movie and the discussions that we have started in class. Think about the following...

How do people respond when feeling victimized, fearful and hopeless? Trevor had two paths he could take: Be the “X” or be the perpetrator. What is the “X” Mr. Duncan referred to? How can individuals, families, schools, and communities help cultivate the “X” factor? Which of the paths mentioned above takes more strength of character?

Welcome to the Blog-Second Semester.

Hi there everyone. I wanted to thank you for visiting the blog. I plan on using this with my current and former classes, parents, friends, colleagues, etc so that we might continue conversations about what we do, read, write, and think about in class. Thinking doesn't just happen in the classroom; it happens every where. So many times in the evenings I think about what I should have said, might have said, or think of a whole new idea and I want to share it with you. This is a way for us to continue thinking and doing. I hope that you are an active participant. I also wanted to state, this site isn't just for students. I am hoping to get some parental feedback as well.