Featured Sites |
PeacePartners, Inc. honors our valued partners by celebrating their passion for peace, their
creative ideas, and the wonderful implementation strategies they incorporate.
As we continue to support our partners, it is our privilege to showcase PeaceBuilders sites.
Don't just take our word for it. Read about some featured sites as they explored their problems,
developed their PeaceBuilders solution, and discovered positive outcomes! We invite you to sit
back and explore the fantastic PeaceBuilding events happening throughout the United States and
U.S. Territories. |
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| Jefferson Elementary School - Monticello, FL |
The PeaceBuilders Program provides a common language and common identity that is of great importance to both the staff and young people at all PeaceBuilders sites.
The common language gives all adults a consistent way to interact with children and teens so that they know when they are meeting or exceeding expectations and when they need to make changes in their behavior. Young people also eventually adopt the language and use it reinforce each other's behaviors.
A PeaceBuilders common identity is also important because when we associate ourselves with a group or a belief system we naturally begin to behave in ways that are appropriate to that group/belief. Whether it is a political party, a street gang, or PeaceBuilders, when we identify with a group, we begin acting and thinking like the members of that group.
In order for a site to create a common PeaceBuilders identity, the people at the site must use the language consistently and provide plenty of visual reminders. Successful, effective PeaceBuilders sites make sure that visual cues are evident all around.
At Jefferson Elementary School, not only have the wise adults created a PraiseBoard for every classroom and shared space, they have wisely incorporated PeaceBuilders into their daily curriculum, artwork, and school décor.
Jefferson's staff was trained at the beginning of this school year, and during the training small groups created "Visions of Peace" posters.
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The inspiring posters were left up all year long as a reminder of the goal they are working toward.
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| At Jefferson, PeaceBuilders is incorporated into lessons they teach young people, day by day.
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Older students created posters to show their understanding of PeaceBuilders themes.
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Younger students colored in pictures identifying themselves as PeaceBuilders.
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| Like many PeaceBuilders sites, Jefferson Elementary has developed a month by month implementation plan that ensures every teacher is focusing on a particular PeaceBuilders Principle at the same time. Teachers conduct a lesson and then students in the classrooms engage in an activity to give the lesson meaning and make it fun.
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This particular month, the PeaceBuilders focus was "Seek Wise People." Students created posters promising to seek a wise person when they need help or advice. They all signed the poster to confirm their commitment.
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| PeaceBuilders is quickly becoming the culture at Jefferson Elementary School where everyone is using the language and identifying themselves as PeaceBuilders. We are impressed by the accomplishments this site has had in such a short time. This kind of dedication to reaching a goal-a more peaceful school environment-is an inspiration to us all.
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