A week into the new school year, administrators at Alamo Heights Junior School reported little to no bullying occurring on campus.
In fact, students were opening doors for teachers and helping the newest students find their classes and lockers.
What inspired these students to show compassion for their fellow classmates?
It's a KENS 5 program called Rachel's Challenge.
Middle school students are typically the most troubled when it comes to bullying and discipline, but they are getting along so well at Alamo Heights Junior School that their teachers have noticed a change in culture.
"One student on the very first day came up to me and shared with me that he had helped three students open their lockers, and I think he shared that with me because he remembered Rachel's Challenge," said Stephanie Kerschner, the school's principal.
Rachel's Challenge is a program supporting a safe environment in schools. It was named after Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.
Administrators knew right away they could put the program to good use at the Alamo Heights school.
"Nothing is more important than the character of the people we are working with, the children," said Dr. Kevin Brown, Alamo Heights ISD superintendent.
Alamo Heights started Rachel's Challenge last year and reports that the district has seen a decrease in what administrators call "interventions" with students. But more than that, teachers and staff report students character is rising.
Rachel's Challenge urges students to create a chain reaction and show compassion toward a classmate, hopefully carrying on to other students and eventually the whole student body.
The message of Rachel's Challenge is already spreading into Alamo Heights High School, where last year's eighth-graders are now freshmen.
