Port Jefferson Students Pen Poems for Peace

On Sept. 19, in recognition of both Sept. 11 and the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, each student in Nancy Winkler-Brogan’s third-grade class at the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School in Port Jefferson read aloud poems they had written about the meaning of peace.

The assignment, Ms. Winkler-Brogan said, required students to use their five senses to describe the word “peace.”

“Rather than discussing the sadness surrounding 9/11, we decided to teach the students about peace,” said Winkler-Brogan, who also read her students “Can You Say Peace,” a book that offers different ways to say “peace” in a variety of languages.

Some of the descriptions given in the class presentation, which was delivered before parents, included:

“Peace sounds like a calm place in my room.” — Brandon Pina

“Peace sounds like playing my piano outside.” — Marina Mauree

“Peace tastes like any flavor ice cream.” — Eric Chen

“Peace smells like flowers.” — Christian Jensen

Also during the event, students pledged to end bullying, and each received a certificate.

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District