For more information: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

WALES — With the goal of helping students learn ways to improve their school culture and climate, parents and community members are invited to a community forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Oak Hill High School.

Rachel’s Challenge, a program started by the father of a student killed during the Columbine, Colo., high school shootings in 1999, will be launched for Litchfield, Sabattus and Wales students.

School Superintendent James Hodgkin said he heard Darrell Scott talk about his daughter, Rachel Scott, and the program last year in Augusta. Hodgkin and the school board are bringing the program to Oak Hill students.

At the community forum, and at two student assemblies Tuesday, background will be given about how Rachel’s Challenge evolved and what students can do in their school to promote understanding and compassion.

“It’s teaching more than tolerance, more than anti-bullying,” Hodgkin said. It’s teaching that everyone comes from different perspectives and looks at situations differently, he said. “This is something I believe in. This is not a one-shot wonder.”

Students interested in volunteering will receive training in how to improve their school climate. They will then become advocates, helping to make school decisions in promoting respect and compassion, Hodgkin said.

According to the Web page of Rachel’s Challenge, Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School in 1999.

“Her acts of kindness and compassion, coupled with the contents of her six diaries, have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs.” Powerful messages of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy motivate students to positively change how they treat others, according to the Web page.

Objectives are to create a safe learning environment for all students by re-establishing civility and delivering pro-active antidotes to school violence and bullying. Another is to improve academic achievement by engaging students, providing them with the social and emotional education “that is both color blind and culturally relevant.”

The school board approved spending $5,000 on the program, which will be given at the high school and to a lesser degree at the middle school.

Everyone is invited to the one-hour community forum.

– Bonnie Washuk