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International Academy/LEAP:
Peace Pole Project, spring 2008
Early this school year I had
the idea to introduce a project at LEAP that would engage the entire student
population and allow for discussion and authentic classroom work throughout all
content areas. The goal of the project
is to declare LEAP an international peace site and teach students about their
role as peacemakers in their school, community and the world. The project began with five members of the
Student Service Council. I approached the
students with my ideas and they showed great interest in developing a plan that
includes authentic learning opportunities for the entire semester.
The students, two staff
members and I began brainstorming ways to get the student body interested. Together we decided to prepare an all-school
Peace Assembly where we could introduce our ideas and explain the process of
becoming an international peace site.
With the help of Melvin Giles, a local peace activist, the assembly
planning began.
Students developed a Power
Point presentation that included student translators and organized an assembly
for February 14th. With the
help of Ms. Strupeck, Ms. Quest and Mr. P, I outlined the necessary
information, brought in a traveling peace pole, designed a word of the week
activity and set-up a fundraising campaign so that LEAP could purchase a peace
pole that reflects our student population.
A late spring dedication ceremony is now being planned to declare LEAP
as an international peace site.
After only one week LEAP
students have contributed enough money to purchase the pole. Ordering our custom pole is the next
step. Remaining funds will be used to
design a small garden and perhaps a bench for our courtyard. My hope is that students will reflect on
themselves as peacemakers and discover how they can make a big difference in
the world.
This project seemed a
natural fit because LEAP is a very peaceful school. Students from all over the world already join
together to accomplish great things.
There are a variety of
learning opportunities that can be developed through the common theme of peace
in our building, including leadership opportunities.
Currently Student Service
Council members are collecting and keeping track of project funds. In March, I hope to work with students in
order to continue the theme of peace in our school. The project should grow and be kept fresh
throughout the semester if it is to be successful.
Declaring our school an
international peace site is inclusive in nature and will reflect our commitment to promoting peace in our community.
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