Photos
Students at Roosevelt Primary School participated in the school's ninth annual Peace Walk on Thursday in honor of Martin Luther King Day.
The peace parade is a much-loved tradition at the school with students singing songs and carrying symbolic artwork through the halls before joining together in the gym for an assembly including speeches and music with Roosevelt music teacher Debbie Hillebrand.
At the end of the assembly, the students were encouraged to repeat aloud: "I commit to showing peace by being kind to myself and others."
"We're a very diverse school family," said Roosevelt principal Dina Rocheleau. "We're very big about focusing on being kind and learning about empathy. It's a very big part of our school culture."
Rocheleau said the students look forward to the event each year and are involved in the planning, including choosing what type of art projects they will carry in the parade and volunteering to speak or perform during the assembly.
"When you involve the children in the planning and everything it has more meaning for them," she said.
Do you have photos to share from Roosevelt's Peace Walk on Thursday? Add them in the gallery above!
LopeintheD
7:03 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
They are ALL so cute :)
Jan Cunningham
11:33 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
So incredibly proud of our caring, loving students at Roosevelt Primary!
Ferndale_1986
12:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Did they invite Ahmadinejad over for tea and biscuits?
Erik Roberts
9:08 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
God forbid we teach tolerance and model peaceful behavior..."86" you could benefit from such lessons...stop "trolling"
Ferndale_1986
10:12 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
@Erik Roberts
Wow, looks like I hit a nerve.
So, do I need to be taught to think like you?
And who made you censor of the Patch comments? Do you want to re-educate me and silence me too?
Erik Roberts
11:01 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Nope, You can think how you want...I have no problem with myopic views...their yours. My problem is your mocking of an event (centered around children) meant to promote peace and open mindedness. I'm sure you've complained about the violence in today's society (as I have); this is the age where we nip it in the bud.
Ferndale_1986
11:35 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
@Erik Roberts
The event begs mocking because it confirms the walking stereotype that is Ferndale Schools. What other schools do this ?
Erik Roberts
12:15 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013
"Begs to be mocked"? That is where we will certainly disagree. How about looking at the positive? "What other schools do this?" Maybe those "other schools" are wrong in NOT doing it. I'm not going to change your mind...nor do I care to. Again, I refer to my trolling comment. You have an agenda..."Ferndale Schools Suck". I, honestly, respect your right to disagree with the schools but I absolutely disagree with you choosing this article to push that agenda. An article about Meier and his decisions...fine, but a positive article involving kids, is, in my opinion, inappropriate.
Ferndale_1986
2:28 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
@Erik Roberts
You are jumping to a lot of conclusions about my motive for commenting, I don't give a d@mn about Meier.
It is wrong for government schools pushing pacifist values on children. It goes on here in Ferndale because of the extreme and warped politics which Ferndale is infamous for.
My comment on Ahmadinejad stands, and is fact spot on.
Lianne Mathie
4:40 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Just leave it alone Erik, as Mark Twain said.
"Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."
Sarah Allen
11:48 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
Not sure what all this negativity is about. I thought we were a nation that wanted love, peace, and equality! My daughter is in one of the above photos. And I am proud that she walked for peace and equality. Not only does she do it every year at the peace walk (and looks forward to it), she lives her life everyday with those morals. Which is what all humans should want.... I you're born with a heart and soul! To make these disgusting comments about innocent children standing for something they believe in makes me sick.
Sean Allen
12:46 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
"Fact spot on" Inviting an Ahmadinejad over for tea and biscuits? Not quite sure where the word fact enters into an obviously sarcastic scenario you created in your head. Got news for you, Marches in schools and cities are happening everywhere. It's not NEARLY just crazy old Ferndale. Everyone else sees kids learning to accept each other in peace, you see a reason for anger and fear. I feel sorry for people like you and also know that your numbers are dwindling and your views are become obsolete