Way back on July 23, 2008 I posted the first two of my four part, Iditarod themed character education program, using the acronym RACE for the Last Great Race on Earth.  The “R” stands for respect and responsibility, the “A” for attitude, the “C” for compassion, and the “E” for excellence, personal excellence.  We can see all of these traits exhibited in the mushers and their relationships with their dogs and each other.  It is also evident in the many volunteers that help make the Iditarod happen.  

So, after this message you will find the compassion and excellence pieces of this program.  They have accompanying songs and  lists of Iditarod Insider videos showing that particular tenet.  I have had success using this program in a one-week summer camp, highlighting one tenet a day, Monday through Thursday, then reviewing by making the RACE necklace (July 23) on the last day.  And it is equally successful using it in the regular classroom in a three or four week study.

During the compassion piece of the program, we encourage creating a service project.  For example, the three pre-k classes at my school visit an assisted living community each month of the school year.  The children sing five to seven songs about their recent studies to the residents and then go around and give hugs and handshakes, introducing themselves and wishing the Grandma’s and Grandpa’s greetings of the season, “Happy New Year,”  “Happy Valentine’s Day”, etc.  Every class in our school has their own special project.  The kindergarten works with the Humane Society, the second grade is in charge of the weekly recycling for the entire lower school, and the list goes on.  Compassion has no boundaries.

Most recently I have been blessed beyond measure by the compassion of my school.  My principal, Claudia Sherry, sets high, but loving standards for our lower school in so many ways.  She is quick to assess a need and develop a plan.  Not long after I told her of my cancer diagnosis, Claudia whipped up an action plan that offered families in my school the opportunity to pour out compassion on me (and my family) in a very tangible way.  She sent a letter to lower school families telling them of my diagnosis and that my oncologist was out of my insurance network.  She went on to say that my church would be taking care of any meal needs my family required so if they would like to help with medical costs, the school would be happy to collect donations on my behalf.  To date folks have given an extraordinary $9,000.  Of course, I cry happy tears at every deposit, but the last deposit really released the floodgates.  The father of one of my colleagues-a man I have never met-donated an amazing $3,000!  May we all be encouraged by the selfless compassion of such a heart.