The Peace Pole
The Peace Pole, the central point out by MSA’s flag pole and during our Annual Winter Holiday Program, what is that all about?
The history of the Peace Pole with its international beginning from Peace Pole Makers USA:
“The Peace Pole Project was started in Japan by Masahisa Goi (1916 – 1980), who dedicated his life to spreading the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. Mr. Goi was greatly affected by the destruction caused by World War II and the atomic bombs which fell on the city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His desire to assist in the creation of world peace was answered when in 1955, the Peace Message, May Peace Prevail On Earth, came to him in a moment of great inspiration and deep prayer.
After Mr. Goi authored the Universal Peace Message in 1955, a great number of people gathered in support of his vision and activities to spread the Peace Message were promoted throughout Japan. Soon after, Peace Poles inscribed with the Peace Message began to appear in various locations across Japan initiating the start of The Peace Pole Project.
The Peace Pole Project was first introduced to the United States with the opening of The World Peace Prayer Society offices in San Francisco and New York in 1986, The International Year of Peace. Peace Poles are now the most recognized international peace symbol and monument the world over with more than 200,000 Peace Poles standing in almost every country throughout the world.”
And where are some of these Peace Poles? Well, you could travel to the Magnetic North Pole and see one. Or how about on a camel ride out to the Pyramids of El Giza. You would find one on the banks of the Jordan River in Israel, at the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, in Baghdad, Iraq, Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, and even Gorky Park, Russia.
So, how did so many appear in a little town in South Carolina called Anderson? It is hard to date exactly when Montessori started giving Peace Poles to individuals and other nonprofits. But we do have a record that over 30 have been given through the years mostly during our Winter Holiday Program. So, at least, 25 years anyway. You will find Peace Poles at Homeland Park Elementary, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, West Market School, Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson Sunshine House, Anderson University, Soup Kitchen, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Calvary Childrens’ Home, and many more locations.
As an international Peace School, in order to acknowledge the organizations and individuals right here next door, was the idea that “peace begins at home.” We celebrate them being here in our own community.
P.S. Keep your eyes open for them as you travel here in the US and abroad. The children are always so excited to come back and say: “We saw a Peace Pole at …… !”
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Dates to Remember
October 1-5 - Yearbook portraits, see below for class dates and times
October 2 - High School field trip to Sky Top Orchard
October 2 - Fall Flower Sale pickup
October 12 - Early dismissal, see note below
October 12 - End of quarter one
October 15-19 - Fall BreakOctober 22-26 - Upper Elementary play week
October 26 - Primary Book Character Day
October 27 - Fall Festival
Oct. 29-Nov. 2 - Spirit Week
Oct. 29-Nov. 2 - Parent/teacher conferences
Note: October 12 Early Release Schedule
October 12 is an early dismissal day for Professional Development for teachers. All programs closed. No extended day or childcare will be available.
Infant/Toddler dismissal---11:30 a.m.
Primary dismissal------------11:30 a.m.
Lower el dismissal-----------11:45 a.m.
Upper el dismissal-----------12:00 noon
Middle School dismissal---12:00 noon
High School dismissal-------12:00 noon
Yearbook Portraits
Yearbook portraits are scheduled for the following dates and times. The start times for each class are approximate and may be adjusted as necessary. In the event of rain or inclement weather, portraits dates may be shifted. We will attempt to get all class portraits taken the week of October 1-5 and will schedule make-up portraits shortly afterward. If you have siblings that attend MSA and would like to have additional group portraits taken, please send an email to mdabney@msasc.org to let Mr. Dabney know, and he will work with you and your children's teachers to attempt to schedule them during portrait week.
October 1 - Primary (8:45)
October 2 - Middle school (8:30), upper elementary (9:30)
October 3 - Infant/toddler (8:45)
October 4 - High school (8:30)
October 5 - Lower elementary (8:15)
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Emma Kate Awarded Student of Integrity Scholarship
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Nurse's Notes
Flu season is right around the corner. In order to prevent the spread of flu within our MSA community, we ask that you speak to your healthcare provider and discuss if you or your child are candidates for the flu vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend the flu vaccine. I am sharing a link from Kids Health regarding the 2018-2019 Flu vaccine, it may answer many questions. You should get a flu vaccine before flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu-vaccine-good.html
10 ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season:
The best way to combat the flu this season is through preventive measures.
Getting flu vaccine is your best defense, but you may also use the following 10 tips to fight the flu this year:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, being with ill people and especially before you eat.
- Avoid sharing objects.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
- Get enough sleep and avoid getting "run down."
- Reduce stress.
- Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and dispose of them immediately and appropriately.
- Eat right and get regular exercise.
- Avoid crowds and keep your distance from people whom you know are ill.
- If you are sick, avoid contact with the frail, very young and elderly.
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
With healthy regards,
Susanna Merriman, RN
Montessori School of Anderson
