I would like to introduce you to an initiative called the 40 Days of Peace
www.40daysofpeace.org, that you might see valuable in promoting to schools
in your network.
The 40 Days of Peace begins with the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Jan
21, 2008 and ends on Feb 29, 2008. The 40 days represents the 40th
Anniversary of Dr. King's death and the start of allowing people to learn
over 40 days, that anyone can begin to build a more peaceful school and
surrounding community. National and local partners, individuals, families,
communities, schools, communities of faith, community organizations, law
enforcement and many others will focus on helping to start building a
peaceful community. The 40 Days of Peace initiative promotes greater
cooperation and a sustainable reduction in violence (in all its forms) and
increased impact of peace in our schools and communities.
This is a timely and natural fit as a character education initiative. The
40 Days of Peace is an opportunity for the cultivation of key character
traits such as respect, patience, self-discipline, responsibility, caring,
etc.
40 Peace Messages.
These are quotes by well know peace contributors and peacemakers. Each day
during the 40 Days of Peace, teachers and schools can have students recite
the quote of the day, and reflect on its relevance for them and our time.
People can pledge to the 40 Days of Peace: www.40daysofpeace.org
PEACEMAKER
PEACEMAKER is a 40 Day or six-week program designed for a teacher or
facilitator to lead a class or an entire school to reduce aggressive or
hurtful language and behavior, and to create an environment of kindness
and cooperation. The steps surrounding PEACEMAKER involve identifying
negative word and actions; making a commitment to boycott and correct
them; and providing encouragement for positive words and actions. These
can tie into the 40 Peace Messages. Each week will conclude with a period
of guided reflection and discussion by the teacher or facilitator. The
weekly reflection can consist of group discussion, art, journaling,
writing, song, dance, video, or any other format with which the student
wishes to convey his/her reflection. These reflections can be posted to
MySpace, Facebook, or YouTube.
