Middle school combating ‘Eraser Challenge’

There’s nothing new about the “eraser challenge,” a game where kids rub an eraser on their skin, causing burns that can bleed and potentially become infected. At Berg Middle School, assistant principal Amy Shannon sent a message to parents through the district’s Infinite Campus system, warning them about the challenge and urging them to discuss the issue with their children.

In her message to parents, Shannon wrote the school had documented “numerous” cases of the challenge and urged parents to check their children for the telltale signs of burn marks on their skin. The message, titled “Parents please be advised,” said administrators at Berg have been talking with students about the issue.

“Please know we are trying to take care of it here at school by talking with students and exposing the issue, however, (we) would also like parents/guardians to be aware of and address the issue at home,” Shannon wrote in her message to parents.

When contacted by the Newton Daily News, Shannon declined to comment for this story.

Students recite the alphabet while rubbing the erasers across their arms, once they reach the end, they’ll stop and compare burns. Photos on social media show the problem isn’t just limited to Newton, it’s a widespread issue across the United States that many school districts are attempting to combat.

The damage students cause to their bodies goes beyond just the burns. Studies show the wounds can often become infected, the erasers aren’t sterile and serious infections can result. Skin isn’t sterile either, and germs present outside the body can find an easy path inside the body when an abrasion or a burn results. A junior high school student in Chico, Calif. reportedly contacted strep A toxic shock after taking part in the challenge, according to a story published by USA Today.

At Newton Christian School, principal Mary Patterson said she hasn’t dealt with any issues regarding the challenge. Patterson said when she encounters students who are showing signs of self-harm, she believes it’s representative of an internal need that isn’t being met. Peer pressure may also play a role in the challenge as well, Patterson acknowledged.

“Well I think every middle schooler has a moment where their friend’s opinions become important to them,” Patterson said. “Our stance on that is to give them an opportunity to remind them that they’re standing before God, they matter to him. We want to know they’re loved, and their unique and they don’t need to thrive on the perceptions of others.”

With the Newton Christian School only serving students in grades K-8, Patterson said she and the rest of her staff try to make a point to remind students who are graduating this year and leaving the school they’ll encounter a different environment when they leave, something she thinks about often. On Thursday, Patterson said she often suggests students look towards the Bible. Using the story of Daniel’s captivity by the Babylonians as an example Patterson said she tries to help remind her students to be true to themselves, and not to succumb to peer pressure.

“Daniel was taken into captivity at the same age and he was expected to eat what they ate and do what they did but he refused,” Patterson said. “What our world needs is more Daniels who are willing to stand alone and do what’s right, and that’s not always easy.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com