This December, Propel Braddock Hills High School hosted it’s first ever Challenge Day.  This is another measure to combat bullying in school through educating our students about its dangers, and the importance of kindness.  In the morning sessions, students were  presented with information held via workshops held by community experts on sexual harassment, race issues, poverty info, and cyberbullying.

In the afternoon the entire student body participated in a discussion with guest panelists, including representatives from Expect Respect (Pittsburgh) and Secret Agent L. Students were given real life examples of harmful behavior inflicted on others and themselves, and discussed what effects various actions can have.

Secret Agent L talked about how her Kindness Campaign began “BE KIND. NO EXCEPTIONS.”, and how it’s grown over the past two years.  She stressed the importance of “intentional acts of kindness,” as opposed to “random acts of kindness.”  Students asked tough and honest questions, and were provided with food for thought:

“No matter who, what, where, or how different another may be, every time you crush someone, you leave a lasting impression. Why not make a positive lasting impression, rather than one of destruction?”

The goal of Challenge Day was to to show students that their peers, teachers – people in general – are actually more alike than different; and that extending our hearts and hands to one another and for one another is a huge and important step toward peace.

Check out with she had to say when Secret Agent L visits Propel …

Congratulations to Propel Montour’s Girls on the Run team for competing in the Jingle Bell Run 5K on December 10, 2011!

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Propel McKeesport teamed up with CMU Professor Kristen Hughes to kick start a healthier lifestyle for students with a new program, entitled “Fitwits.”  Fitwits is an obesity prevention and health literacy research project that uses games and character-driven narratives to transform unhealthy lifestyles into healthy ones.

Since the Fitwits program began at Propel McKeesport,  several new initiatives in the school and community have launched:

• A new salad bar available to students and staff during lunch. Whole Foods donated the unit and the fresh produce is made possible through Eat ‘n Park’s “LifeSmiles” initiative. In a school where 90% of students qualify for the free lunch program, this is an important supplement to the school lunch. Healthy eating is for everyone!
• Teachers creatively integrating lessons about health into their curriculum, including creative endeavors such as newsletters and radio shows about healthy living in pursuit of “Fitwits cash”.
• A new school garden taking root. Thanks to parent volunteers, the Fifth grade teachers and students, Grow Pittsburgh, the City of McKeesport and seeds donated by Seeds for Peace, a vacant lot next to the school has become an outdoor learning experience for the whole school. Throughout the year, various Propel McKeesport students are responsible for the maintenance of the new garden.

Check out the Propel and Fitwits video and start learning how to incorporate healthy habits in day to day life.

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