Rachel's Challenge

It's a pleasure to inform you that Memorial and Clough Schools have been awarded a grant through the Mendon Upton Education Foundation (MUEF) for $6,857.20 to bring the Rachel's Challenge, Elementary Program to our schools.  Rachel Scott was the first victim in the Columbine High School tragedy.  Her father and over twenty certified presenters travel across the nation delivering Rachel's message of kindness and compassion.
Our program will take place on Thursday October 6th with an inspirational assembly for our students in kindergarten through fourth grade.  All students, in both schools, will receive an inspirational bracelet to wear throughout the school year as a reminder of the words they will hear during the presentation.  Students in third and fourth grade will also receive a journal to use in their classroom.  Students and staff will create a "chain reaction" of kindness and compassion by filling out paper chains which reflect acts of kindness and compassion witnessed by others.
All students and staff are also being asked to purchasse an official Rachel's Challenge T-Shirt which was designed especially for our schools by Mrs. Horn (P.E. teacher at Memorial School).  It is our plan to have special spirit days throughout the school year to continue to spread this important message.  Checks made out to MURSD for the amount of $6.00 can be sent to school with students in an envelope addressed "Rachel's Challenge T-Shirt Donation".
A special evening presentation will be held in the cafetorium at Memorial School on October 6th at 7:00 p.m. for parents/guardians of students attending Memorial and Clough, as well as community members.  This presentation will be the full content of Rachel's Challenge.  Students will NOT be allowed to attend this program.  Inspirational bracelets can be purchased that evening for $1.00 and all proceeds will go toward the schools' end of the year culminating celebrations.
We are very excited to bring this important program to our elementary schools.  Rachel's Challenge has been a huge success at both Nipmuc High School and Miscoe Hill Middle School and we are confident the success will continue with our students. 
If you have any questions regarding Rachel's Challenge Elementary Program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Christine Horn at chorn@mursd.org or Mr. Dan Hayes at dhayes@mursd.org.