Author: YMCA Academy

Good Afternoon,

This week the YMCA is celebrating Peace Week.  As part of this, the Academy has many exciting events and activities planned as part of our celebrations.  For your information (and possibly participation), we have included details about our Peace Week events and projects.

These include:

• The premier of our Peace Week video
• A Peace Tree and Art display
• The release of the Good News Newsletter
• Two Peace Medallion Award Ceremonies (where Academy students are volunteering)
• And, a Lunch and Learn at the school.

Please see below for more information on each of these:

Peace Week Video – Release Monday November 22

The Peace week video is a 20 minute overview of the many ways that we work to promote peace at the YMCA Academy – within ourselves, with each other, and with the environment.  It will be shown at the two Peace Medallion ceremonies, with a student introduction, and also at the Lunch and Learn.  It will also be featured on our web site and Youtube channel. You may contact Michelle Johnson for more information (michelle.johnson@ymcagta.org).

Peace Tree and Art Display – All Week – November 22-26

World Religion and Art students have created a beautiful Peace Tree that will be displayed November 22 and 23 at the Peace Medallion Ceremonies. The Peace Tree features religious and cultural symbols from all over the world.  Leaves around the tree will invite everyone to contribute to the tree by adding their own wishes or commitments to peace.  The art students have also created paintings where symbols of war and violence transform into symbols of peace and harmony. After the ceremonies, the Peace Tree and Peace Art will be brought back to 42 Charles to be displayed.  You can contact Kaili Glennon (kaili.glennon@ymcagta.org) or Alexi Manis (alexi.manis@ymcagta.org) for more information.

The Good News Newsletter – Release Monday November 22

This is the third edition of the Good News Newsletter, and it is being released to coincide with Peace Week.  Students, staff and guests have contributed to make this a very positive and uplifting read.  Learn all about our activities in class, our field trips and school activities, see some pictures from the year so far, and celebrate the accomplishments of student writers.  The Newsletter will also be available for viewing online Here.  For more information, please contact Melissa O’Leary (melissa.oleary@ymcagta.org).

Peace Medallion Awards – Monday and Tuesday November 22 and 23

Every year, local YMCA’s award a community member with a Peace Medallion, and celebrate their contributions and accomplishments during an award ceremony.  Academy students will be volunteering at these events as greeters and helpers, as Peace Tree ambassadors, as distributors of the Newsletter, and as speakers.  There are two ceremonies that Academy students will be involved with.  Students should speak directly to their parents about participating in these after school events, and about getting home afterwards.  Community service hours will be earned by participating students.

Monday November 22 – 42 Charles Street, 9^th Floor (Most History and Geography students, and some other Academy student volunteers, 3 teachers will be present) – Students will be doing promotion of this event in the building starting around 3:00.  We will then go to the 9^th Floor Auditorium around 4 to help set up. The reception starts at 5:30 and the ceremony starts at 6:00.   Parents are definitely welcome to attend, and the ceremony should be over by 7:30, or perhaps earlier. Please RSVP to Melissa O’Leary (melissa.oleary@ymcagta.org).

Tuesday November 23 – West End YMCA – (This involves only 3 Academy students, and 2 teachers) The event starts at 6:30 for the reception for the public – this is a small RSVP only event.  Academy volunteers will arrive at 5:45, have dinner, then help set up.  It should be finished between 8 and 8:30.

Lunch and Learn – Thursday November 25 (12:15 to 1:15pm)

The Academy is presenting a Lunch and Learn in conjunction with the 42 Charles Street Green Team.  We will show the Peace Week video, an Academy student will talk about her life-changing trip to Kenya last summer, and we will have a facilitated discussion on the link between the Environment and Peace.  Parents are welcome to attend.  Please RSVP to bonita.ip@ymcagta.org.  For questions, contact Melissa O’Leary (melissa.oleary@ymcagta.org).

Happy Peace Week to all – we hope that you are able to join us for some of our wonderful events.

Don Adams