The No Bully Zone
Tewksbury, MA
At the John W. Wynn Middle School, the core curriculum includes a comprehensive anti-bullying program called Rachel’s Challenge.
Rachel Scott was the first victim in the 1999 Columbine shootings. She was shot while eating lunch on the lawn with a friend.
Following her death, her family launched Rachel’s Challenge. Based on a school assembly given by members of the Scott family and Columbine survivors, the program promotes five goals:
- Eliminate prejudice by looking for the best in others
- Dare to dream. Set goals. Keep a journal.
- Choose your influences. Input determines output.
- Kind words, small acts of kindness = Huge impact
- Start a chain reaction with family and friends.
These goals are at the center of education at the Wynn middle school. Radio Boston’s Meghna Chakrabarti spent a day at the school to get a taste of life in the "no bully zone"…
THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Adam Colontuoni
He’s 31, and the kind of counselor I yearned for as a middle schooler. Middle school is about focusing a youthful combination of curiosity and impulsiveness, he said. On our walk down the halls, Colontuoni connected with every kid, knew everyone’s names, and constantly reminded them, gently, that he’s watching.
THE STUDENTS: Courtney, Nicole, Jonathan, Tyler
Eighth graders, members of the Rachel’s Challenge "Teens against bullying" club, each of these students said that the climate in school changed immediately after the launch of Rachel’s Challenge. However, one thing that hasn’t changed, are the social pressures they face outside of school, and on the internet.
THE SUPERINTENDENT: Christine McGrath
Programs like Rachel’s Challenge, and the constant updating of "critical incident" plans across the district consume a larger portion of human, time and financial resources now than they did when McGrath started as superintendent 17 years ago. Yet, she says, the world has changed. Student safety is a priority.
