We took part in the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, 2009 by singing a song that traveled all the way around the world. Students who were in attendance at 11:02 a.m., and most staff members, formed the shape of a peace sign on the playground. Middle school students in the center played the song on drums, keyboard, brass instruments and flute. One hundred forty-five of us were among the 80,000 children in 35 countries who sang 'Light a Candle for Peace'. Our event was covered by the local newspapers and television. In addition, we videotaped ourselves, and put it up on YouTube. If you would like to see it, look for Sing Peace CVMS.
PRESS RELEASE -
"We celebrate Peace Day each year, but his time is something special," said event coordinator and CVMS teacher Kathryn Jakobson. "We will join hungreds of other schools and thusands of children - almost 70,0000. A school in New Zealand will start, and in each time zone, one school at a time will sing "Light a Candle for Peace" one after another for 24 hours. So the song will actually move around the entire globe. the students will be able to follow the song's progress on a blog site.
"We are glad to be part of this worldwide event," said Head of School, George Conway. "In classes, students will be discussing the work of the United Nations and the value of peace, and everyone will be involved with the song. The students and staff are all learning it. We will form the shape of a peace sign on our playground and at our assigned time we will sing."
Jakobson noted that after the singing the school will kick off its Pennies for peace fundraising campaign. This is a program of the Central Asia Institute, founded by Greg Mortenson, author of the bestselling book Three Cups of Tea, to buy school supplies for the children of 400 remote villages in Pakistan. Conway said, "We want our students to experience the value of philantropy and see that they can have a positive influence in the world."
Established by unanimous resolution of the UN in 1981, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small. Based on last year's report, it is estimated that there will be over 10,000 events on the planet this year, sponsored by thousands of organizations, and that over 200 million people will participate.
One way everyone can take part in Peace Day is to observe a minute of silence at noon on September 21, as requested by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
