A Few Changes at PSI
We are very pleased to announce that the PSI Board of Directors has elected new Officers.
President: Heather Harris, Principal Kingston and District School, NS
Vice-President: Joe Morrison, Principal, Oxford School, Halifax, NS
Treasurer: Greg Albers, Teacher, Citadel High, Halifax, NS
Secretary: Emily Anderson, IDS Graduate Student, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS
We are sad to say good-bye to Board members Ian McAllister and Ward Carson who have provided us with guidance and support for many years. Thank you for all you have done for PSI.
We warmly welcome two new members of the Board of Directors: Emily Anderson, Graduate Student, International Development Studies, Saint Mary’s University and Peter Twohig, Executive Director, Gorsebrook Research Institute, Saint Mary’s University.
Gifts from the Heart…
In December, we encourage everyone to think about the importance of giving joy rather than material goods to other people. When we take time to be thoughtful towards others, we often receive and promote peace within ourselves and others. During the holiday season, encourage students to give a gift from the heart to someone or some group that has made a difference in their lives. Download “Gifts from the Heart” ideas here.
At PSI, we believe…
• That school should be a place in which children can learn without fear;
• That this is possible if we provide our children with the tools they need to live well with others; and
• That each school’s journey to create a culture of peace is unique.
Peaceful Schools International provides support to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace. PSI has over 340 member schools around the world! In these schools, students, teachers and community members work together to ensure that everyone feels safe, respected and valued. For a list of our member schools, go to PSI Members.
An example: Kingslake Public School, Toronto, Ontario
A very multicultural Toronto school, Kingslake has been a member of Peaceful Schools International since 2004. Originally, the school’s focus was on building a culture of peace within the Kingslake community. Drawing on PSI resources, the school created peace books and poems and organized activities to promote positive interaction. One member of the staff reported that, “We knew our efforts were producing results when we overheard a student reminding a new Kingslake student that, ‘We don’t do that at Kingslake. We’re a peaceful school.’”
Having entrenched peaceful practices at Kingslake, the school has recently expanded its focus by twinning with Mayagba Primary School in Sierra Leone, through PSI. The schools share emails, photos and books and learn about each other’s cultures. At each step of the way, Kingslake staff has felt strongly supported by PSI. Representatives from the organization have visited staff, made presentations to students, and provided resource materials, leading to close and meaningful connections between the school and PSI.
