NS Celebrates the International Day of Peace by Embracing Diversity
Article by Shelly Newman and photos by Adrienne Daley and Shelly Newman                                                                                                  
On September 21st, to coincide with the International Day of Peace, the North Shore School District kicked-off RED (RED is the acronym for Respecting each other as Equal and Different) - the beginning of an ongoing district-wide initiative recommended by the District Diversity Task Force to proactively and successfully create a school community that is a safe haven where differences and similarities are respected and celebrated. In 2008-09, the Diversity Task Force comprised of parents, administrators, trustees, faculty, students and residents collaborated to develop recommendations including: creating a definition of diversity, providing workshops in cultural proficiency for the faculty, staff, board trustees and community, and developing a program of community outreach.

To kick-offthe Respecting each other as Equal and Different initiative, administrators, students, faculty, and staff participated in a number of engaging educational. At the elementary level, the schools were adorned with red balloons, students and faculty came to school dressed in red, and classroom discussions featured introductory communication on peace and diversity. On the secondary level at the middle school, students and faculty watched a diversity presentation on SMART Boards in their advisory classes and the Global Citizens Club rang the “peace bell” at noon followed by statements promoting world peace. Principal Marc Ferris said, “In a place where everyone matters and everyone cares, we will all have the capacity to learn.”

At Glenwood Landing Elementary, wonderful brainstorming sessions took place in K-5 classrooms organized with the assistance of Enrichment Teacher Audra Marcantonio. Each class was given a large peace symbol to write kids' understandings of the word peace. Student ideas included: Peace is being bold in your own original way. Peace is being you even when it means being different. Peace is sharing differences and helping others feel good about being different. Respecting the world. Being free. Peace is unity. Additionally, teachers shared picture books on peace, poetry, songs, etc., and gathered for a school-wide photo.
  
RED Day was just the beginning of the implementation of the many recommendations outlined by the Diversity Task Force. With the expertise and guidance of consultants from CampbellJones & Associates, the North Shore School District will be embarking on numerous educational programs and community activities embracing the theme of diversity. Please visit the district website at www.northshoreschools.org for more information regarding diversity.
Superintendent Dr. Edward Melnick concluded with, “We seek to provide opportunities for the North Shore Schools community to increase their understanding of others’ perspectives and beliefs. Creating a school community that is a safe haven for all of its members is a goal we all share. All members of our community can be empowered by embracing our similarities and differences and learning how to better resolve our conflicts.”