The Peru Gazette

A Message From Peru Central School

In today’s world, peace needs to become more than just a word. On September 19, 2014, Peru Central School District plans to take part in an International art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace, by “planting” pinwheels with messages of peace in front of the clock tower of the Elementary Building on Route 22B.
Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, of Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. In the first year, groups in over 1,325 locations throughout the world were spinning pinwheels on September 21st – there were approximately 500,000 pinwheels spinning throughout the world. Last year (year 9), over 4.5 million pinwheels were spinning in over 3,500 locations, including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Locally, art teachers Tracey Laundry and Greg Badger will be coordinating the Pinwheels for Peace project this year.

Peru Central School will create pinwheels of all shapes and sizes. As part of the creation process, the students will write their thoughts about “war and peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others” on one side. On the other side, they will draw, paint, collage, etc., to visually express their feelings. The students will assemble these pinwheels and will “plant” them in front of the Elementary Building clock tower on Route 22B this year, as a public statement and art exhibit/installation.

On September 19th keep a lookout for the pinwheels – the spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country and the world! For more information, please contact 643-6400.