‘Whirled peace’ in the wind
Students and staff at Chantrell Creek Elementary celebrated whirled peace Friday morning, with the “planting” of approximately 350 pinwheels in front of their South Surrey school.
The gesture, part of the Pinwheels for Peace art project started in 2005 by two Florida art teachers, resulted in a virtual garden of the colourful reminders of childhood to mark International Peace Day, Sept. 21.
Each was carefully adorned with words, colours and symbols reflecting the students’ thoughts on war and peace, tolerance and living in harmony with others, while reminding of a time when things were simpler.
Parent Amber Poulton said she raised the idea to the school’s Parent Advisory Council after getting involved with Pinwheels for Peace in Winnipeg, when her daughter was in Sparks.
“I thought it was a really fantastic project,” Poulton said.
“Promoting peace in any way... is just a positive thing. Especially (with) everything going on in our world.”
Leading up to the planting, teachers facilitated discussions and projects to get the students thinking about what peace means to them.
To Hannah Poulton, a Grade 5 student, it’s about sharing and getting along.
To eight-year-old Zachary Orobko, it’s the reason Chantrell Creek Elementary even exists.
The students spent all last week making their pinwheels, and wasted no time Friday planting and testing their spin – an effort that’s meant to spread their thoughts and feelings about peace around the world, on the wind.
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