Greenport school hosting anti-bullying program

The Greenport School District is hosting the national anti-bullying program “Rachel’s Challenge” on Thursday, Dec. 6, in the auditorium.

The program is based on the writings of 17-year-old Rachel Scott, the first student killed during the 1999 Columbine High School shooting massacre.

Rachel’s Challenge provides students and adults with advice on how to combat bullying, feelings of isolation and despair through kindness and compassion. Rachel had reached out to those who were different, were picked on by others, or new at her school.

Shortly before her death, she wrote: “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Assemblies are scheduled for Greenport secondary students at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for elementary students. A free community event open to the public is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. School officials have recommended that parents not bring their younger children to the evening presentation.

For more information about the program, visit rachelschallenge.org.