Challenge Day

Parents Social Lounge
1

<p>I teach at a rural public high school and there is a group of parents advocating and fundraising for a Challenge Day on our campus.</p>

<p>We are tiny >500 students, have maybe two or three fights a year, and though I know there is likely as much teasing here as anywhere blatant bullying is not tolerated. Subversive bullying is another story and though I can guess I don't know how much of that goes on. We do not have a gang problem but like most high-schools there are cliques. </p>

<p>I give you all this info because what I am trying to find out is how Challenge Day would work here. </p>

<p>If you have experience and insight, thanks in advance for sharing.</p>

2

<p>Our 8th graders (usually only 100 kids per class) participate in Challenge Day every year. It’s a great program. I volunteered one year so know a lot about it. It’s not really about gangs or cliques specifically. It’s getting all the kids to admit their lives aren’t perfect or that they’ve been “put down” or discriminated against for something in the past. Has someone ever told you that you are stupid? Has anyone ever commented on your weight? Has anyone ever physically hurt you? There are all kinds of questions that are discussed in small groups. When the large group comes together, they’ll ask more questions and most kids eventually give honest answers. In the end, you realize that no one has a perfect life. Lots of kids carry burdens. The overall effect causes you to view your fellow classmates in a different light. There was some time at the end of the session where anyone could step forward and apologize to another classmate for something that had happened in the past. It was very touching.</p>

3

<p>Is there a website with info on how a Challenge Day works? </p>

<p>We have seen a lot of bullying (and tons of negative feedback) from several of the teachers this year, and I would love to help them see the students in a new light. I would hope that the whole high school would participate. So, how does it work?</p>

4

<p>Our teachers did not participate, but yes, a few could have benefited from the experience. Here’s the web site:</p>

<p>[Challenge</a> Day - Challenging You to Be the Change](<a href=“http://www.challengeday.org/]Challenge”>http://www.challengeday.org/)</p>

5

<p>Our school has Challenge Day every year but only invites 100 students (out of 1400) to participate. My child was never selected and could never tell me what it was about. Frankly based on this I think it was worthless.Website was not really informative. I suggest that if you do the program that the entire school be participate.</p>

6

<p>Honestly, this sounds, just like the sort of thing my kids loathed. Can’t we just stick to teaching?</p>