The Dollar Bank Foundation Awards $10,000 to Support Rachel’s Challenge at Plum Borough School District

On October 22, the Dollar Bank Foundation presented the Plum Borough School District with a $10,000 grant to the Plum Mustang Foundation to support the Rachel’s Challenge initiative, marking the third consecutive year of Dollar Bank’s generous and meaningful support of the Rachel’s Challenge programs across all five of our district’s schools.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy, we believe it is crucial to highlight the positive impact that our program, in collaboration with educators and schools, has had over the years, "said Dr. Rick Walsh, Superintendent of Schools. “With the help of such a generous community partner in our colleagues at Dollar Bank, our students are continuing to set the standard for the mission of Rachel’s Challenge: creating safe and connected schools free from violence and focused on kindness, connection and acceptance.

According to Ryan Manzer, “Evidence of our student commitment to Rachel’s Challenge surrounds us in our school buildings and the impact is felt district wide. By encouraging and supporting our Friends of Rachel Clubs, we aim to inspire hope, encourage positive action and promote kindness and compassion.”

“Dollar Bank is honored to support the Rachel’s Challenge initiative at Plum Borough School District for the third consecutive year,” said Jeff Robol, Dollar Bank Assistant Vice President of Treasury Management. “The district has done an incredible job of implementing the program and making it an intrinsic part of student’s daily lives. The positive impact in Plum Borough can be seen in the commitment and response of their students. It’s a wonderful example of a how we can help our children and teens feel protected, understand the importance of kindness and participate in an inclusive environment that allows them to grow and flourish.”

This year’s funding directly supports Rachel's Challenge positive behavior curriculum at each grade level, bringing meaningful assembly programming into our schools. Funding also supports awards and recognition for students who display positive behaviors and enlivens our school buildings with Rachel’s Challenge messages and branding as well as supporting our Friends of Rachel (FOR) student clubs and activities.

"Rachel's Challenge has impacted our school community through intentionally identifying and uplifting those student behaviors that make a positive impact on others and the school as a whole. We want to ensure that the actions and words of students that make the school environment so inviting and positive are noticed using our monthly themes to call out and celebrate the "greatness" of our students. Rachel’s Challenge helps us to consistently shine a light on the positive aspects of our school,” said Mr. Stephan Sereda, Assistant Principal, Plum Senior High School.

According to Mr. Sereda, PSHS is currently planning the Mustang of the Month Breakfast where 10 students and two staff members will be recognized in alignment with a theme of responsible decision making and a Red Ribbon Week door decorating contest.

Ms. Allison Campbell is currently leading a new chapter of Friends of Rachel at Plum Middle School and recently hosted its first meeting during which students produced a "Walk the Chalk” so that their classmates would be met with inspirational messages of positivity as they leave the school building.

Nationally, Rachel’s Challenge was founded by the family of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting and has since become the most extensive youth violence prevention school program in the world. The national program has made a significant impact and has led to averting school shootings across the country, preventing hundreds of youth suicides annually and reaching over 30 million students, educators and parents.

About Dollar Bank

Dollar Bank has assets of more than $11.5 billion. Today, Dollar Bank operates more than 90 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia and has over 1,500 employees. For more than 168 years, Dollar Bank has grown to become the largest mutual bank in the United States, committed to providing the highest quality of banking services to individuals and businesses. Dedicated to aiding the communities it serves, Dollar Bank supports quality of life initiatives, financial literacy programs and organizations devoted to helping individuals and families in need. Dollar Bank (www.dollar.bank) is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.