What is a Challenge Day?

Since 2007, Cleveland Metropolitan School District has hosted Challenge Days at area high schools. Defined as a powerful, high-energy program, it is an opportunity for youth and caring adults to participate in a series of activities designed to build cohesion, draw awareness to violence and bullying, and empower each individual.

The morning will begin with an ice-breaker session where the adults and youth can get to know one another. This will be followed by a segment called "If You Knew Me." During these emotional, and sometimes painful discussions, youth will open up to each other and the adult leading their group. In the process, they learn that everyone is struggling with something. This is such a unique opportunity to teach our young people the power of compassion and empathy.

Following lunch, the popular "Step to the Line" activity shows all of the participants that we probably have more in common than we think. After coming to that realization, the final activity of the day gives the youth an opportunity to say whatever is on their mind to the entire group.

Challenge Days provide a safe environment where young people can learn to come to terms with the painful things that are going on in their lives and grow closer to their peers. It is the goal of the program to build a culture of understanding and cooperation in schools, and aims to end the violence between teens that all to often leaves another desk empty in the classroom.

Want to get involved? We need more adults to volunteer to spend the day participating in this unique and powerful event. Why not spend a day helping to influence the lives of our inner-city youth. I promise you, it will be a day well spent!

To sign up for one of the following dates, email Kasey Morgan at kasey.t.morgan@cmsdnet.net 
John F. Kennedy High School: April 26th, 27th, and 28th, and May 2nd
Martin Luther King Jr. Career Campus: May 3rd, 4th, and 5th
East Technical High School: May 10th, 11th, and 12th