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September 21 is the International Day of Peace and in this LoCO Video Report we see how one local school celebrates in a big way.

Peace festivities have become a tradition at Redwood Coast Montessori in Manila. They kick off the day with a parade around the field and kids get to show off their peace inspired decorations, all while singing inspirational songs of peace.

They sing “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” “Light a Candle for Peace,” “Peace is the World Smiling,” “I Think You’re Wonderful,” and the list goes on.

They prepare for days in advance, creating prayer flags, pinwheels and cut-outs with well-known quotes. Such as: “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”

Students spend time learning the importance of peace and take time to acknowledge the opportunity they have to know peace.

“We’re lucky we live in a community where we can sleep at night. You don’t have to be afraid that bombs are going to be dropped on your house. And we should be grateful we live in a nice community where we don’t have to worry about terrorist attacks, massacres and terrible stuff like that,” said one sixth grade student.  

Peace Day was created in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution as an effort for all humanity to commit one day to peace above all differences. However this school sees peace as an evolving process, and practices it everyday.

“There’s a lot of practicing that needs to happen,” said the school’s co-founder Terri Vroman Little. “So having circle time out on the field with the whole school, singing together, acknowledging each other visually, that’s just part of helping us build this peace process.”

This year’s Peace Day theme is Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.

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