'Pinwheels for Peace' Placed on Front Lawn at Valley View School

Valley View School District 365U submitted this story: 

The winds are gently spreading peace among students, staff and parents at Independence Elementary School thanks to hundreds of pinwheels decorated in art class and placed on the Bolingbrook school’s front lawn Monday.

A part of the nationally acclaimed Pinwheels for Peace Project, the Independence pinwheel effort is designed to help students understand the connection between living peacefully and school expectations of being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind to all.

“This helps us continue our anti-bullying discussions about creating a sense of community where we are all kind to one another and help each other,” said Principal Kim Mulcahy.

While assisting students in creating their own pinwheels, Independence art teachers, Kimberly Coultis and James Battle facilitated conversations with students about peaceful places and what it feels like to be peaceful.  Teachers continued those conversations Monday afternoon as students placed pinwheels in front of the school.  

The Pinwheels for Peace idea grew from International Peace Day efforts by two Florida high school art teachers who saw the pinwheel as a childhood symbol that reminds all of us of a time when things were simple, joyful and peaceful.  Each year students in over 3,500 locations around the world make pinwheels in recognition of Peace Day.