Ella P. Burr School

Rachel’s Challenge Helping Schools

Become Safer, More Connected

Lincoln, ME – RSU No. 67 is working with Rachel’s Challenge to stimulate academic
achievement and social-emotional learning by focusing on the connection between students,
faculty and staff. Using the remarkable story of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine
High School tragedy, Rachel’s Challenge awakens individual hope and purpose, which in turn
promotes safer, more connected school communities. A Rachel’s Challenge staff member will
share Rachel’s story with the entire community on 03-07-2023 at 5:30 at Mattanawcook
Academy Cafeteria. Schools will be having age-appropriate assemblies on 03-06-2023 and
03-07-2023.
Dr. Robert Marzano, respected education researcher and author states, “Rachel’s Challenge is the
most powerful intervention I have seen in 40 years of working in education.” Rachel’s story
unlocks the desire for change. Then, its programs come alongside the existing efforts of the
school to sustain a culture where harassment, violence and self-harm are reduced; where
teachers are free to teach and students are empowered to learn.
An independent study conducted by Multi-Dimensional Education, LLC, a nationally recognized
educational program evaluator, found that, “Schools implementing Rachel’s Challenge with
fidelity achieved statistically significant gains in community engagement, faculty/student
relationships, leadership potential, and school climate; along with a reduction in bullying
behavior.”
Using age-appropriate programming for K-12, Rachel’s Challenge schools have reported up to
84% reductions in disciplinary referrals. As many as 150 suicides are averted annually, as
reported by students themselves. In a pre- and post-attitudinal survey of 9,881 students from
socioeconomically and demographically diverse schools across the US and Canada, respondents
reported a 282% increase in the number of students feeling safe at school after participating in
Rachel Challenge.
In just over two decades of social-emotional and mental health training, Rachel’s Challenge has
reached over 30 million students, educators, and community members. Rachel’s Challenge
continues to work hard to turn the ideals of kindness and compassion into actionable strategies
that help promote a safe and productive learning environment.
For more information about Rachel’s Challenge, visit www.rachelschallenge.org.