St. Ambrose School in Brunswick is among the schools that participated in the 2020 Pinwheels for Peace initiative on Sept. 21 a part of the International Day of Peace. Students created pinwheels during their art classes and each class had a short prayer service for peace as they placed their pinwheels on the school grounds at 923 Pearl Road, Brunswick.
Art teacher Julia Kinley also had her students reflect on the day through chalk drawings on the school sidewalks. Students who are learning virtually had the opportunity to participate in this project, as well, and were invited to come and “plant” their pinwheels outside the school.
Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project that was started in 2005 by Florida art teachers Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan as a way for their students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. The project spread to schools throughout the world and takes place annually on Sept. 21, which was designated as the International Day of Peace in 1981 by a United Nations resolution. It aims for all cultures across the globe to unite on one day to commit to peace among differences and contribute to building a culture of peace.
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,” said Father Bob Stec, St. Ambrose pastor.
“The song is the message we are working to share and reinforce with our students on this International Peace Day. At St. Ambrose School, we are trying to inspire them to be the one who will always use their unique gifts and talents to build a more peaceful and loving world for all.”