Post by southsidesignmaker on Feb 22, 2010 22:35:44 GMT -5
A tradition of peace begins
Still leads D204 schools in embracing monthlong celebration
February 22, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2062202,6_1_NA22_PEACE_S1-100222.article
There's no question that seventh-grader Elexis Donson came to the dance prepared.
Around her neck, she wore several peace symbol necklaces, including the one currently on sale at Still Middle School.
ยป Click to enlarge image
Still Middle School sixth-grader Will Cohen donates food for the food drive during the 32 Days of Peace Dance at Still Middle School in Aurora on Friday night.
(Terence Guider-Shaw/For Sun-Times Media)
"She's crazy peace sign," said Megan Raju, also a seventh-grader. "And she has peace boots. If she could, she'd have a peace room."
That's knowledge only a close friend could have. The two, in fact, are best friends, which they let everyone know by wearing best friend necklaces that feature -- one guess -- the peace symbol.
"I really like the symbol and what it means," Donson said. "I love the '70s."
It's no surprise then that she had a good time Friday night at the school's first Peace Dance, part of Still's 32 Days of Peace celebration. The program was inspired by The Naperville Sun series "32 Days and Ways to Practice Peace," which ran in fall 2008 to go with Naperville's second annual Celebration of Peace. Secretary Lori Kelley, who lives in Naperville, saw the series last year and brought it to the attention of school administrators. And the idea for Still's celebration was born.
"We took it straight from the newspaper," Assistant Principal VaLarie Humphrey said.
Still held its first 32 Days of Peace celebration last year, with students signing pledges and donning clothing and accessories featuring the peace symbol. Every day during morning announcements, the peace word of the day is shared with students. Those activities continue this year, but now the program is reaching out beyond the school walls.
"This year we decided to do some good in the community," Humphrey said.
Several of the activities held throughout the 32 days will benefit the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry in Aurora. Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts and peace sign necklaces will go to the pantry. A coupon drive for it is currently under way. And on Friday night, students held an all-school Peace Dance and food drive for the pantry.
"Tonight is a party with a purpose," Humphrey said.
Next month, students will compete in a "Change 4 Change" coin drive to benefit the pantry. The winning grade will get to have its own peace party.
Humphrey said the students take even greater interest "when it's near and dear to their heart" because the pantry is right here in Aurora. At the dance Friday, cans and boxes of food were stacked on a cart destined for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.
"I think it's pretty cool because we're delivering lots of food to the food pantry," seventh-grader Ben Fitman said.
Sixth-grader Schuyler Hughes agrees.
"We get to help people and show how peace can be good," Hughes said.
"I think people my age, we don't really think about stuff like that," seventh-grader Katie Kennedy said.
"We really need to say. 'Look, people are hungry.'" Raju said.
The celebration comes at a time when students are also busy with service projects. The sixth grade raised money for PAWS, the seventh grade for Ronald McDonald House and the eighth grade for Relay for Life.
While Still held the celebration last year, it was a new idea to the sixth grade class, as well as the seventh- and eighth-graders who came to school as a result of boundary changes.
"We had to tell all the Scullen kids," seventh grader Samantha Clementz said.
"The veterans had to tell the newbies," Kennedy added.
And this year, two other middle schools in Indian Prairie School District 204 -- Crone and Gregory -- are joining the celebration by holding their own 32 Days of Peace.
"It's Still power," Clementz said. "We're the original."
Earlier this month, students at all three middle schools signed Peace Pledges, committing themselves "to keep peace in my environment for the next 32 days. I will do that by practicing the daily suggestion of to practice peace."
"I think it's awesome that almost 3,000 kids signed the pledge at 8 a.m. on Feb. 9," Humphrey said.
The idea is a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support program, she said.
"We're trying to be more proactive than reactive," Humphrey said.
Still decided to hold the celebration in the late winter instead of the fall when Naperville holds its celebration of peace.
"This is a very stressful time in the school system," Humphrey said. "The weather's changing. The kids want to be outside."
And Illinois Standard Achievement Tests are coming up, along with thoughts of spring break.
So far, the celebration has been going well, she said.
"It raises their energy in the right way," Humphrey said. "We try to channel that energy all the time."
And it seems to be making an impact on the students, including those who have come to the office for disciplinary reasons.
"A couple of kids have said 'I know this isn't the way to keep peace, Ms. Humphrey. I'm sorry,'" Humphrey said.
When caught doing something that demonstrates peace, the students are given a raffle ticket. Prizes include donated gift cards, school spirit wear, a DVD player and more. The school is hoping to secure a donation of a bike as well, Humphrey said.
Humphrey said Still is hoping to expand the program next year, and have even more schools join the celebration.
"If we make quite a few of the activities tradition, it will start to (carry) over into the next year," Humphrey said.
Kennedy said when she looks back at her time at Still, she will remember the peace celebration.
"I'm hoping we can take it to high school, too," Donson added.
"Yeah, definitely keep doing it every day," Hughes said.
"It's just plain-out awesome," Raju said.
Still leads D204 schools in embracing monthlong celebration
February 22, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2062202,6_1_NA22_PEACE_S1-100222.article
There's no question that seventh-grader Elexis Donson came to the dance prepared.
Around her neck, she wore several peace symbol necklaces, including the one currently on sale at Still Middle School.
ยป Click to enlarge image
Still Middle School sixth-grader Will Cohen donates food for the food drive during the 32 Days of Peace Dance at Still Middle School in Aurora on Friday night.
(Terence Guider-Shaw/For Sun-Times Media)
"She's crazy peace sign," said Megan Raju, also a seventh-grader. "And she has peace boots. If she could, she'd have a peace room."
That's knowledge only a close friend could have. The two, in fact, are best friends, which they let everyone know by wearing best friend necklaces that feature -- one guess -- the peace symbol.
"I really like the symbol and what it means," Donson said. "I love the '70s."
It's no surprise then that she had a good time Friday night at the school's first Peace Dance, part of Still's 32 Days of Peace celebration. The program was inspired by The Naperville Sun series "32 Days and Ways to Practice Peace," which ran in fall 2008 to go with Naperville's second annual Celebration of Peace. Secretary Lori Kelley, who lives in Naperville, saw the series last year and brought it to the attention of school administrators. And the idea for Still's celebration was born.
"We took it straight from the newspaper," Assistant Principal VaLarie Humphrey said.
Still held its first 32 Days of Peace celebration last year, with students signing pledges and donning clothing and accessories featuring the peace symbol. Every day during morning announcements, the peace word of the day is shared with students. Those activities continue this year, but now the program is reaching out beyond the school walls.
"This year we decided to do some good in the community," Humphrey said.
Several of the activities held throughout the 32 days will benefit the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry in Aurora. Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts and peace sign necklaces will go to the pantry. A coupon drive for it is currently under way. And on Friday night, students held an all-school Peace Dance and food drive for the pantry.
"Tonight is a party with a purpose," Humphrey said.
Next month, students will compete in a "Change 4 Change" coin drive to benefit the pantry. The winning grade will get to have its own peace party.
Humphrey said the students take even greater interest "when it's near and dear to their heart" because the pantry is right here in Aurora. At the dance Friday, cans and boxes of food were stacked on a cart destined for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.
"I think it's pretty cool because we're delivering lots of food to the food pantry," seventh-grader Ben Fitman said.
Sixth-grader Schuyler Hughes agrees.
"We get to help people and show how peace can be good," Hughes said.
"I think people my age, we don't really think about stuff like that," seventh-grader Katie Kennedy said.
"We really need to say. 'Look, people are hungry.'" Raju said.
The celebration comes at a time when students are also busy with service projects. The sixth grade raised money for PAWS, the seventh grade for Ronald McDonald House and the eighth grade for Relay for Life.
While Still held the celebration last year, it was a new idea to the sixth grade class, as well as the seventh- and eighth-graders who came to school as a result of boundary changes.
"We had to tell all the Scullen kids," seventh grader Samantha Clementz said.
"The veterans had to tell the newbies," Kennedy added.
And this year, two other middle schools in Indian Prairie School District 204 -- Crone and Gregory -- are joining the celebration by holding their own 32 Days of Peace.
"It's Still power," Clementz said. "We're the original."
Earlier this month, students at all three middle schools signed Peace Pledges, committing themselves "to keep peace in my environment for the next 32 days. I will do that by practicing the daily suggestion of to practice peace."
"I think it's awesome that almost 3,000 kids signed the pledge at 8 a.m. on Feb. 9," Humphrey said.
The idea is a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support program, she said.
"We're trying to be more proactive than reactive," Humphrey said.
Still decided to hold the celebration in the late winter instead of the fall when Naperville holds its celebration of peace.
"This is a very stressful time in the school system," Humphrey said. "The weather's changing. The kids want to be outside."
And Illinois Standard Achievement Tests are coming up, along with thoughts of spring break.
So far, the celebration has been going well, she said.
"It raises their energy in the right way," Humphrey said. "We try to channel that energy all the time."
And it seems to be making an impact on the students, including those who have come to the office for disciplinary reasons.
"A couple of kids have said 'I know this isn't the way to keep peace, Ms. Humphrey. I'm sorry,'" Humphrey said.
When caught doing something that demonstrates peace, the students are given a raffle ticket. Prizes include donated gift cards, school spirit wear, a DVD player and more. The school is hoping to secure a donation of a bike as well, Humphrey said.
Humphrey said Still is hoping to expand the program next year, and have even more schools join the celebration.
"If we make quite a few of the activities tradition, it will start to (carry) over into the next year," Humphrey said.
Kennedy said when she looks back at her time at Still, she will remember the peace celebration.
"I'm hoping we can take it to high school, too," Donson added.
"Yeah, definitely keep doing it every day," Hughes said.
"It's just plain-out awesome," Raju said.