Photos & Video: Stonington Middle Schools Celebrate Rachel’s Challenge

Students at and spent the week celebrating a week of kindness and compassion as part of their ongoing participation in .

Rachel’s Challenge is a nonprofit that works to address bullying and school violence. The organization was founded by the family of Rachel Scott, who was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

All week students at Mystic Middle School participated in different events such as sending kindness notes and taking parts in a challenge of the day that included looking for the best in others.

Mystic Middle School concluded the week’s events with a Kindness Rally Friday morning. Stonington residents spoke about the kindness they experienced in their lives and how the community helped Hannah beat a rare disease.

Pawcatuck Middle School concluded the week’s events by spelling out the word PAWS on the field. PAWS is the school’s social contract and stands for Practice self-control and safety, Act responsibly, Work hard, Show respect to all.

During the week each day at Pawcatuck Middle School was dedicated to one of the letters of PAWS. On Monday students were allowed to wear a hat to school as way to practice self-control especially among those who may disagree over sports team. On Tuesday students wore their school gear and on Wednesday they had to dress up. On Thursday students wore crazy and mix-matched socks to school as way to celebrate each other's differences. Students spent the week remembering to PAWS (pause) before they act.