Students inspired by
“Rachel’s Challenge”

Chain reaction of kindness. Representatives from the Clark HS National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Meghan Hudec (left) and Sarah Sumadi (right) greet speaker Scott Dodge.

When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, they forever changed the lives of every U.S. high school student to come. Among the first to be shot was Rachel Joy Scott, and her story and legacy is causing a new movement in high schools across the country.

In her journal, written just days before the shooting, Scott wrote, “If one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then they will start a chain reaction of the same.” Harris and Klebold wanted a chain reaction of hate, violence and anger. Instead, Scott started a chain reaction of kindness and compassion that is causing ripples across the U.S.

In a series of presentations given by her father Darryl Scott, her sister Dana Scott, and friend Scott Dodge, NISD middle and high school students are being encouraged to take up “Rachel’s Challenge”…to embrace all students. Rachel Scott made it her mission to befriend those students who were typically picked on at school – the physically and mentally handicapped, students new to school, and computer “nerds.” Harris and Klebold fit the last category. During the presentations, video testimonies are given by one of these special students that she befriended.

As part of this challenge, over 1,500 Taft HS students have signed paper link pledges to do something nice for at least one person. This gigantic chain was presented to Rachel’s father, carried in by 20 students. “It is a very powerful message,” says James Carter, a senior at Clark HS. “It is definitely something that we can all learn from."

Here is a "Tip-of-the-hat" to all who qualified to wear “I Feel the Magic” buttons, the ID for donors to Northside Education Foundation’s ’04 Employee Pledge Drive . A record number of employees gave $93,994 to NEF.

NEF Board member Rene Garcia, Zachry Construction, said, “It’s a pleasure to be in the company of employees willing to join the cause. Business and community members step up when they see the benefactors working alongside.” Fifty first-quarter NEF grants have just been announced for a total benefit to winning classrooms of $34, 028. Also, 33 New Teacher Grants winners were named and are funded by State Farm and Pepsi.

ExCel Award
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Moreover, she provides weekly staff development for teachers, instructing them in both technology skill acquisition, but also in the application of those skills into the classroom curriculum.

Her “ Parent Technology Academy,” held after school hours, encourages parent training and involvement in acquiring technology skills, as well as providing them with a forum for discussion of current trends and practices in educational technology. The “ Parent Technology Academy” is one of the only programs of its kind in the District.

Pam Albrecht is a prime example of the “ExCELent” teachers who “go above and beyond” every day at Northside School District .

A colorful performance.