1. Be The Change at Watkins Memorial High School

2. What does Challenge Day do?  Pro-Active way to change school climate  Helps students successfully address the issues of the following within the context of teen life: Violence & Death Bullying, Teasing, & Aggression Discrimination & Stereotyping Eating Disorders Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug Abuse  Program is designed to: Increase personal sense of power and self esteem Shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support Eliminate the acceptability of teasing, oppression, bullying, and all forms of violence

3. What is Challenge Day?  Powerful and life changing experiential workshop designed to support students in building deeper, more compassionate relationships in every area of their lives  Day-long, non-profit program in which students participate includes: Series of interactive activities Group discussions Ice breakers Trust building exercises.  Students learn: How to break down the walls of separation Build on new levels of trust, acceptance, respect, and communication with their peers, families and themselves

4. How is Challenge Day Innovative?  Zero Tolerance Policies rely heavily on REACTIVE responses to violence, bullying, etc. Expulsionary measures (detentions, suspensions, expulsions) Installing security cameras Resource officer  Research on bullying and violence consistently advocates PROACTIVE, school-wide programs that promote positive school and community climate  Challenge Day  Challenge Day significantly reduces peer victimization by requiring the participation of the community of students, educators, parents, and members of the community

5.  Watkins is a community with supports meaningful, innovative programs designed to enrich the lives of our youth  WMHS embrace a population of students that are ethnically, socio-economically, and culturally diverse… Nearly 10% are minorities (134 students at WMHS) Over 31% receive free/reduced lunch (32% district-wide) Over 16% have a disability (178 students at WMHS) Nearly 3% are in the Foster Care system (32 at WMHS)  Per Pride Survey Spring 2009… The average age of first use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana for incoming 8 th graders is 10.6, 11.1, and 11 respectively 33.1% Threatened a fellow student 22.3% Being afraid at school, 19% Being hurt at school 7.4% Thought often or a lot about suicide Why Watkins?

6. Challenge Dayhas been featured: Challenge Day has been featured:  New York Times Best Selling Book Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul  Emmy Award-winning documentary Teen Files: Surviving High School, which aired nationally in September 2000  Aired twice on the Oprah! Television show in November 2006 and January 2007  Challenge Day in Central Ohio High Schools: Big Walnut, Westerville

7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRPRFX 5l0U0 Movie Time

8. Be The Change at WMHS Challenge Day Challenge Day is coming to Watkins!  All Incoming Freshmen: Sept. 12, 13, 14 th  Selected Upperclassmen: Sept. 15 th Target Participants:  100 student participants, 25 adult participants each day = 400 students and 100 adults participant volunteers  Challenge Day  Challenge Day will take place in the wrestling room, lunch will be provided  This is a part of a larger initiative to reconstruct Freshman Orientation - annual event!

9. We need YOUR help!  Upperclassmen Recommendations Selecting 100 sophomore, junior, senior students Base recommendation on personal, social, emotional needs (not necessarily academic) Return form to Stephanie Bellish by May 26 th  Adult Participants Seeking 5 Teachers per day = 20 total Sign up sheet if interested

10. Questions…