Charter Oak Academy Celebrates 'International Day of Peace' by Planting Pinwheels

Students at joined with an estimated 3.5 million others in communities throughout the world in celebrating the "Worldwide International Day of Peace" on Wednesday, Sept. 21, by planting pinwheels along the walkway to the school.

Participation in the International Day of Peace is particularly appropriate at Charter Oak, which was recently certified as an with a curriculum that emphasizes total growth of the students including a commitment to structured, purposeful inquiry as the primary vehicle for learning.

Students from also participated in the International Day of Peace, working on a special project with 4th and 5th graders.

"We're a school that really looks at international-mindedness. Our students have a respect for peace, and look for ways to find it and promote it in themselves," said Principal Mary Thompson.

Fifth grade students Madison Yearsley and Maya Paige were emcees of the celebration, and each read their own personal statements about what peace means to the Charter Oak community.

"To be a peaceful 5th grader I help others ... Peace is love ... The pinwheels represent what peace means to us," said Madison.

"What makes it peaceful is the way that students get along with each other," said Maya.

Chuck Hummel, Charter Oak's social worker, also addressed the students and their families who gathered for the Pinwheels for Peace celebration.

"Peace is more than the absence of wars; it's about getting along and being together," said Hummel, who also asked the children to think about keeping the atmosphere peaceful in their own families. "We need to work as hard as we can at home to be peaceful," he said, as he led the crowd in a cheer of "Peace in!"

Hannah O'Brien, a student in Dawn Hyland's 2nd grade class, showed off the peace sign she had drawn on her pinwheel. Hannah said that on Peace Day, "There should be no wars and at home no one should fight."

Diane Slone's daughter is in 2nd grade at Charter Oak. The family purposely chose to enroll her there as a magnet student. "Every year the Peace Day Celebration is the high point of the beginning of the school year. I love the fact that the kids are actively involved. [When they were making the pinwheels] the art teacher talked with the kids about the International Baccalaureate attributes, and how they can help bring about peace."

As the students filed into the school to begin the day, the pinwheels remained where they were planted in the ground along the front walkway, spinning peacefully in the breeze.