Joppa View Students Discuss Peace and War

As lawmakers consider military interventions in Syria and tensions between international leaders take citizens on an emotional roller coaster ride, students at Joppa View Elementary School took time on Friday to consider the value of peace.

In recognition of International Peace Day (Sept. 21), students wrote their thoughts of war and peace on pinwheels and shared stories. With the help of music teacher Susanne Rising, the students sang a song of peace.


"Every year, we conduct the celebration differently," said visual arts teacher Leanne Ensor. "This year, with the patience of my fellow teachers, we were able to get the students in the shape of a peace sign."

Ensor said the school started celebrating International Peace Day after two art teachers in Coconut Creek, FL, began Pinwheels for Peace in 2005 as a way for high schoolers to express their concerns about war.

In 2012, the group inspired 4 million students nationally to make the pinwheels, according to the Pinwheels for Peace website.