Alcuin celebrates International Day of Peace

​​In celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace, the students at Alcuin Montessori School in Oak Park joined over 100,000 children from schools around the world to sing for peace on Wednesday, September 21st, 2016. 

​“Peace education is a key component of the Montessori philosophy," explained Gina Gleason, executive director of Alcuin Montessori. "Peace isn't just taught as a one-time lesson; rather, it's integrated into the curriculum throughout the year for all of our students, from birth through middle school.  It's just as important as math, language, and music in creating a well-rounded child."

As part of the "Sing Peace Around the World" movement, the song Light a Candle for Peace was sung by schools around the world, starting on the shores of New Zealand and continuing from country to country until it reaches the shores of the Hawaiian Islands 24 hours later.  Students at Alcuin Montessori sang their song and performed it in American Sign Language at 10:00 a.m.
​In preparation for the event, art teacher Sophia Lyman said, "The children have been busy practicing their performance and creating art relating to the theme of peace around the world in many forms, including the development of peace flags, quotes and inspirational messages, poems, drawing, and dance."
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Each year, the United Nations International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st. It is a day dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples, a vision that closely aligns with the Montessori philosophy.