AT&T contributes $20,000 to Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation

Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation announced a grant of $20,000 from AT&T Delaware to continue support of the nationally acclaimed Rachel’s Challenge program. Since 2013, AT&T has contributed more than $60,000 to support a variety of Rachel’s Challenge diversity and inclusion initiatives at Cape Henlopen schools.

Rachel’s Challenge is based on the life and writings of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colo., in 1999, and has been praised by Cape Henlopen administrators, teachers and students for helping create an environment of kindness and inclusion.

Denis Dunn, president of AT&T Delaware, joined Cape Henlopen Superintendent Bob Fulton, Delaware Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and a large group of students and adults for Chain Reaction Day, an intensive, interactive training with small- and full-group sharing. Rachel Scott expressed the belief in her diary that “If one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”

Chain Reaction Day includes a cross section of the high school population, and is designed to equip students and adults with skills to combat bullying and reduce feelings of isolation and despair. Discussion topics include Take Off Your Labels…Be Who You Really Are, Our Words Have the Power…to Hurt or Heal, and You are Not Alone…We Have Shared Experiences. Through this process, participants come to realize how much they share in common with others, and this insight helps break down barriers.

Nationwide, Rachel’s Challenge programs have proven to be powerful tools in reducing school absences caused by bullying (over 150,000 daily), preventing adolescent suicide, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Schwartzkopf said, “AT&T Delaware’s investment in our students at Cape Henlopen School District is to be commended. The Rachel’s Challenge program they’re supporting not only promotes inclusion, diversity and self-awareness, it underscores the all-important values we strive to cultivate in our schools and communities.”

Dunn said the goals of Rachel’s Challenge at Cape Henlopen are also aligned with the principles of AT&T’s Digital You program, an initiative launched last year to help individuals of all ages use the internet safely and responsibly. Through Digital You, students - and their parents and caregivers - can learn more about cyberbullying, how to protect their digital reputation and much more. For more information, go to digitalyou.att.com.

Fulton said, “We’re extremely grateful to AT&T for their generous, ongoing support of a program that encourages healthy self-awareness and more compassionate behaviors. Our improved student attendance and the reduction in bullying incidents reflect the positive impact of Rachel’s Challenge on the school environment.”

Delaware Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, said, “As a parent and a public policy maker I continue to appreciate the support that AT&T gives our local Cape region children and hope that the support they continue to give us is having a positive effect on our children and families.”

CHEF is a nonprofit organization which works in partnership with the Cape Henlopen School District to develop resources and support unfunded and underfunded educational initiatives. Their joint mission is to provide each student with the learning skills to lead a healthy and productive life in a diverse and global society. For more information, go to www.chef-cape.org.