Three Village Students and Teachers Commit to Practicing Kindness and Compassion

Nassakeag Elementary School students and staff have once again pledged to cause a chain reaction of kindness throughout the community. The commitment is part of the school’s character education program which is modeled after the national Rachel’s Challenge program, a five step school improvement process that equips students and adults to create and sustain safe, caring and supportive learning environments essential for academic achievement.

Shortly after the start of the school year, individuals across the Three Village school documented their joint effort toward creating an inclusive environment and promoting compassion for others by signing a large banner displayed in the main hallway of the school.

Awareness for the yearlong initiative kicked off during an interactive assembly with musical storyteller Lou Del Bianco called “Make a Good Choice.” During the event, the presented took the audience on an exciting journey through his childhood, sharing the daily joys, dreams and missteps he encountered along the way. Students had the chance to share what type of choices they would make if they were in Lou’s shoes and reflected how those choices would affect their own lives.

Rachel’s Challenge is inspired by Rachel Scott, a 17-year-old student who was killed at Columbine High School in 1999 and was known for reaching out to fellow students who were different, bullied or new on the campus .

Photo: Nassakeag Elementary School students commit to accepting Rachel’s Challenge as part of the school’s character education program.

Photo provided by the Three Village Central School District