More information
Starlet Riviere, ECMS Foundation co-chair and Challenge Day
coordinator: shriviere@comcast.net or 404 386 0218
David Chiprany, ECMS principal: David.Chiprany@cobbk12.org or 770 578 2740
Challenge
Day: On the Way to East Cobb Middle
December
20, 2007 – Almost everyone can remember what it felt
like, in middle or high school, to be left out of a group. To be made fun of
for being different. To be bullied or see a friend the victim of bullying.
For
four days in January, 7th graders
at East Cobb Middle School will be challenged to “Be the Change” in that kind
of behavior as they experience Challenge Day, a nationally recognized diversity
training program. The program
improves a school’s academic environment by helping students learn to see their
similarities over their differences. This, in turn, helps eliminate negative
behavior such as teasing, cliques and bullying and builds self-esteem to combat
risky behavior.
Parents
and teachers have rounded up 100
volunteers and raised $17,000 in cash and in-kind donations to cover costs for
the program from the California-based nonprofit organization Challenge Day.
Individuals, businesses and foundations have contributed money. Chick-fil-A,
Publix and Kroger have donated lunches for students and volunteers. Sheraton Galleria
and Nalley Volvo have
contributed accommodations and transportation for the program team while they
are in town. AccessMyMetro.com was the first corporate sponsor to sign on in
support of the event.
Why
all the enthusiasm? “One of the great
things about East Cobb Middle is the diversity – racial, ethnic and economic –
of its students,” said Principal David Chiprany. “Another is the incredible
energy of its parent volunteers. Challenge Day is bringing together those strengths
to make us an even better school.”
“This
program builds self esteem and shifts dangerous
peer pressure to positive peer support,” said ECMS Foundation co-chair Starlet
Riviere, the mother of an ECMS 7th-grader. “Then it challenges us
all to come together to ‘be the change’ – and not just for one day. Once you’ve
been through Challenge Day, you want to work to help your peers, your school
and your community be a better place.”
“We
hope this will help more students come
to school ready to learn,” said Chiprany. “It addresses many of the things that
might stand in the way of educating our kids: violence, teasing, bullying, racism,
conflict and peer pressure.”
Challenge
Day has been launched in schools
across the country to improve academic achievement. In Georgia, Bainbridge
public schools and Communities in Schools leadership workshops have experienced
Challenge Day, as have employees of the Coca-Cola Company in the first ever
corporate Challenge Day. Nationally, Challenge Day has touched the lives of
close to half-a-million teens and adults and received
awards from juvenile justice and government officials, school districts and
cities.
Challenge
Days are powerful, high-energy
programs in which participants are guided through a series of experiential
learning processes. Through games,
trust-building activities and presentations, students are given a unique
opportunity to see themselves and their peers through new eyes. Most leave the day
leave feeling
empowered and committed to making a positive difference.
About
East Cobb Middle School and its
foundation
East
Cobb Middle School is home to 1,150 Cobb County students
in
grades 6, 7 and 8. Students from Brumby, Eastvalley, Powers Ferry, Sedalia Park
and Sope Creek elementary schools attend ECMS, which feeds into Wheeler High
School with its advanced magnet program in science, math, and technology. East
Cobb Middle School’s student enrollment is economically, ethnically and
racially diverse.
The
East Cobb Middle School Foundation was established in
2003 to provide resources to boost academic excellence, expand
community awareness, and offer cultural enrichment. To date it has bought
books, equipment, software and online subscriptions and raised funds and
in-kind donations to bring Challenge Day to East Cobb’s 7th-grade in
2008.
# # #
