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Teton County School District Promotes Culture Of Kindness

The conversation about school safety has largely focused on defending students from a violent attack. That can mean installing new locks and bulletproof glass, but it can also mean creating a different kind of culture. TCSD Kind is a yearlong initiative of the Teton County School District #1 focused on providing safe, healthy and caring communities at all its schools.

This week, the district is hosting Rachel's Challenge. All 6-12 graders will attend school-wide assemblies designed to empower students to combat bullying and social isolation by fostering a culture of kindness and compassion. The program is based on the writings of Rachel Scott, who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.

Teton One's superintendent Gillian Chapman said the assemblies are about giving students and teachers the right strategies.

"So when you see someone not being kind to someone, how do you handle that?" said Chapman. "What do you say to the kid that is not being kind to someone else? How do you stop that?"

Chapman said the goal is for young people to feel empowered as leaders.

"Give our students the opportunity to share their voice and experience — and know that it's safe," said Chapman. "I think that's how we really can make a difference."

Chapman said parents and community members were also invited to learn these strategies and help promote kindness outside of school as well. A public presentation on Rachel's Challenge took place Tuesday at the Jackson Hole High School Auditorium.

Tennessee -- despite what the name might make you think -- was born and raised in the Northeast. She most recently called Vermont home. For the last 15 years she's been making radio -- as a youth radio educator, documentary producer, and now reporter. Her work has aired on Reveal, The Heart, LatinoUSA, Across Women's Lives from PRI, and American RadioWorks. One of her ongoing creative projects is co-producing Wage/Working (a jukebox-based oral history project about workers and income inequality). When she's not reporting, Tennessee likes to go on exploratory running adventures with her mutt Murray.
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