Blessed Sacrament School celebrates Day of Peace

Friday, Oct. 03, 2014

SANDY — International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on Sept. 21. This day was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Furthering the day’s mission, the General Assembly voted unanimously in 2001 to establish Sept. 21 as an annual day of non-violence and cease- fire.

Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, sitting in silent meditation, or doing a good deed for someone you don’t know. It can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. You can also share thoughts, messages and pictures to commemorate Peace Day on social media. 

This year, the students and faculty at Blessed Sacrament School focused their thoughts on promoting peace through literacy. Across the globe, children who are able to attend school gain a better understanding of the world and, in turn, a desire to prevent and/or resolve conflict.  Education is a fundamental human right, as encoded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet worldwide more than 60 million elementary-age children are denied this right, usually because of poverty, lack of access to education, and the low value placed on education in some societies – especially for girls. In poor households, children are often compelled to work so families can eat. Blessed Sacrament School will highlight the theme of literacy throughout the year in various classroom activities, school-wide initiatives, and in the social justice projects they participate in.  

The first project was the creation of the Peace Poles that have been placed in the main foyer of the school.  Mrs. Marcy Mullholand, art teacher, discussed with her students the importance of literacy and education along with the direct link to peace around the world. She then had her students in pre-kindergarten through grade 3 illustrate a picture from their favorite book that they would like to share with a child unable to attend school.

Students in grades 4 and 5 wrote a wish for a child somewhere in the world that he or she could someday attend school. Students in grades 6 through 8 wrote a letter to a child describing the opportunities an education can provide and their recognition of what education is offering them. All illustrations and writings were created on a foam board that was then placed on the Peace Poles.

These messages from our children to those across the world who are less fortunate, are a comforting reminder that we are all children of God and desirous of the same basic human rights.