The dates and times are all set for Rachel’s Challenge, with programs for local schools and the greater community to take place throughout the week.

Rachel’s Challenge, named for Rachel Scott, the first person killed during the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999, aims to curb school violence and bullying by creating an atmosphere of kindness and compassion at schools.

Programs will take place Tuesday at Franklinton Elementary and Mt. Hermon Elementary, Wednesday at Franklinton High, Thursday at Mt. Hermon High and Friday at Franklinton Junior High.

Another objective of Rachel’s Challenge is to bring the schools and the community together to encourage all people to be kind and courteous to one another, Gill said.

“It not only starts with our schools, it starts with the community in which the schools are located,” he said.

As a way to keep businesspeople, residents and members of the community informed about what is happening in their schools and to help make their area “a better place to live and a better place to go to school,” community events have been added to the agenda, Gill said.

Community events will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at Mt. Hermon High and Friday at 6 p.m. in the Franklinton Junior High Gym.

Gill and his wife, Betty, have been spreading the word about the program throughout the community and have gotten many other sponsors to sign on, making the program a reality in Washington Parish.

Sponsors include the Franklinton Rotary Club, the Franklinton Area Economic Development Foundation, the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and a number of other churches and civic organizations.

Gill and Washington Parish School System Superintendent Darrell Fairburn have the goal of bringing Rachel’s Challenge to all schools in the district, so they will look at adding more programs in the fall.