Kids Mark International Peace Day

On Friday morning, nearly 700 students at John M. Marshall Elementary School in East Hampton walked to the grassy field next to the school carrying symbols of peace — pinwheels they had made during classes last week. Class by class, they lined up in the shape of a giant peace sign in recognition of International Peace Day, singing songs and holding their pinwheels high. Friday’s celebration marked the eighth year the school has recognized International Peace Day.

“Every day, we are exposed to either television images or newspaper articles that give importance to conflict,” said Beth Doyle, the school’s principal. “It is our hope that through the Pinwheels for Peace project, we can make a statement about our feelings about peace and tolerance. In today’s world, peace needs to be more than just a word.”

She quoted “The Peace Book” by Todd Parr, who wrote about ways peace can be represented. Just to name a few of Mr. Parr’s examples, Ms. Doyle said peace can be achieved by making new friends, by sharing a meal, by keeping the streets clean, by learning another language, and by “being different, feeling good about yourself, and helping others.”