Wheatland-Chili fifth-graders make their mark on TJ Connor Elementary and it all began with a book
The Wheatland-Chili Class of 2016 is moving on to the middle school and they have left their mark on TJ Connor Elementary School by designating it as a place of peace. Fifth-graders planted a peace pole on the edge of the school’s playground in June and it all started with the book, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
The book is about each individual doing something to improve the world.
It took the school year and the entire school community working together to complete a peace project. It began with TJ Connor Teacher Rhonda Broman sharing the book with staff in September and starting a Pennies of Peace drive with all the students.
“When I read the book to learn more about the penny drive,” said Teacher Wendy Clark, “I knew I wanted to share author Greg Mortenson’s story with my fifth-grade students.”
The Board of Education was offering Excellence in Teaching Mini Grants. “I knew exactly what I needed the grant for! Books, of course,” said Clark. By this time a team of teachers: Clark, Ann Bayer, Julie Gusmerotti, Alison Hughes, Rhonda Broman, Linda Giroud, Nancy Scott, and Cristy Smith were working on a building wide project. In their grant application, the teachers asked for funds to purchase copies of Three Cups of Tea.
“The fifth-graders at TJ Connor became completely involved in reading the book and were incredibly enthusiastic about participating in all the spin-off projects,” said Clark.
“Students signed up for various jobs in connection with the book and its message of each individual doing something to improve the world.”
The grant was also used to purchase a peace pole to be planted at the edge of the playground and dedicating TJ Connor as a place of peace as the culminating event. The pole was created in Wasaic, N.Y., by the World Peace Sanctuary.
Gathering the fifth-graders at the peace pole following the dedication, Superintendent Tom Gallagher told students, “Let this be a reminder of what we can do as individuals, I am so very proud of each of you. You’ll always be a role model to those who are younger than you. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I thank you.”
Board of Education member Kim Snyder told students, “because of a book you did all this for our school. The Board of Education is very proud of you.”
“It was awesome,” said fifth-grader Nina Rizzo, “that students had a chance to work on a peace pole.”
“Students accomplished this,” said fifth-grader Alexis Combs.
