GREENWOOD - It's more than just reading and writing at one Greenwood elementary school. Students took time out of their day to focus on a global goal that touches students in their everyday lives.
You might not otherwise notice the rows of paper pinwheels in front of Southwest Elementary School in Greenwood.
"When they spin through the air, it's spreading peace all through. It's international, so it's all over the world," said student Lawson Roberts.
On one recent day, students filed out of their classes onto the sidewalk. But this was no fire drill, it sounded more like a Broadway show.
"The song is called 'Fanga Alafia.' It's a West African tune. It means 'Welcome to everyone with open arms'," said teacher Lindsay Chaple.
Several schools across central Indiana marked the International Day of Peace in similar ways, looking to make a simple statement of how peace should be a way of life.
The Pinwheels for Peace project was actually started six years ago by a couple of Florida art teachers. It worked out to be more than just an art installation project, it was also a way for students to express their feelings about what was going on in the world and in their own personal lives.
"It's just a day to say, 'Don't fight, don't bully.' This is a day where everybody stops fighting. No one's fighting, no one's bullying," said student Cole Raker.
"How you can be nice to your family members and your friends and how you can be nice to other people," said student Laila Stein.
"Everybody's nice to each other. There's no conflict or butting heads," said student Jared Stephenson.
"They're learning to make friends this day and we're trying to teach them, not just today, to be friendly, but try to continue on in their life. So it's kind of like a peace promise for them," said Chaple.
Organizers say there were about 3.5 million pinwheels spinning worldwide last year. They expect the response to be even greater this year.
What's Cool in Your School?
Students sing outside Southwest Elementary School in Greenwood.
The students made pinwheels to decorate the lawn at the school.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTHR. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
