Bay View Academy Partakes in Rachel's Challenge

Bay View Academy students, parents, faculty and staff participated, for the second time in the national program Rachel’s Challenge, a bullying and violence abatement program on Wednesday, Jan. 18, according to a press release from the school.

The program, named after Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999, has a mission to “inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.” 

Last year, Bay View Academy joined the 1.5 million students who participate in this program annually by accepting the five challenges presented which include: looking for the best in others; daring to dream; choosing positive influences; using kind words and doing kind actions; and starting your own chain reaction of kindness. Parents were also invited to the presentation in the evening. Bay View sustained the positive momentum in the school by engaging in the year-long curriculum called the Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club that encourages students to continue the chain reaction of kindness and compassion.

“We are so proud of our community for accepting the challenges put forth by Rachel’s Challenge and Rachel’s Legacy," said Elizabeth McAuliffe, president of the academy. Practicing non-violence is congruent with the heart of both Bay View’s mission, to provide an education permeated with compassion, service, global vision, responsibility, spiritual growth and collaboration and the mission of Rachel’s Challenge.”