District presents Rachel’s Challenge

The Coeur d’Alene School District’s Safe and Drug Free Schools programs and the Lakes Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association will hold two assemblies on Wednesday, about Rachel’s Challenge.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her father, Darrell Scott, developed Rachel’s Challenge after approaching a Congressional House Judiciary Committee on issues regarding school violence. The nonviolence school program was created in memory of his daughter.

Scott’s kindness and compassion she shared with others, along with the contents of her six diaries became the foundation of the program, focusing on how she lived her young life.

The assemblies will include audio and video footage of Scott’s life and diaries, along with a challenge to students to examine how they treat each other. The assemblies will be followed by a 45-minute training session to encourage students to set goals, choose positive influences, eliminate prejudice and retain information from the assemblies.

The day will conclude with dinner at 6 p.m. for Lakes Middle School families, and at 7. the community is invited to a presentation at Lakes.

Call Coeur d’Alene School District at (208) 664-8241 for more information.

Students score in Mathcounts competition

Middle school students in North Idaho school districts were recently awarded for their achievements in the Mathcounts regional competition, held in February at North Idaho College.

Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy placed first in the national competition, intended to increase enthusiasm for math. Students on the team include Bryan Smith, Adam Crandall, Michael Harlan and Dilara Tezcan. Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy coach is Tisha Putz.

Sandpoint Middle School placed second in the competition. Sandpoint team members include Chris O’Donnell, Jared Presnell, Conner Curran and Madeline Suppiger, led by coach Patrick Lynch.

Individual winners are Adam Crandall of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, first place; Bryan Smith of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, second; Chris O’Donnell of Sandpoint Middle School, third; Michael Harlan of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, fourth; Jerod Lysine-Ellis of Boundary County Middle School, fifth; and Jerod Presnell of Sandpoint Middle School, sixth.