Lipman School Will Celebrate a More Peaceful World Oct. 23

October 15, 2015 - Students and faculty of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute at the University of Memphis will observe their annual Peace Day on Friday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the school at 3771 Poplar Ave.

At 9 a.m., there will be a "Wings of Grace" peace dove release in the Leslie Phillipsen Outdoor Classroom.

From 9:20 to 10:30 a.m., Tiger mascot Pouncer will visit each classroom encouraging everyone to "Pause for Peace." Each classroom will present an age-appropriate peaceful activity for the children, their families and University friends.

At 10:30 a.m., the Reggio Emilia-inspired kindergarten class will present a song and sign language interpretation of "We're a Rainbow of Children," followed by "Time with Dr. Thomas Moore" at 10:40 a.m.

A multicultural "peace-nic" lunch will begin at 11:30, served potluck style with dishes prepared by families of the Lipman students, who hail from 13 different nations.

Peace Day grew out of Lipman School's long tradition of anti-bias/diversity educational practices. The first Multicultural Luncheon was held in 1985 and continued until Sept. 11, 2001. In the aftermath of that day's terrorist attacks, the school re-evaluated its priorities and decided that the concepts of peace and justice were at the root of all dreams for a better world. A date on or near Oct. 24 was chosen for the celebration of peace because that date is the birthday of the school's namesake, Barbara K. Lipman, and because it is United Nations Day.

Peace Day observances have always featured a variety of events dedicated to bringing about a more peaceful world. Among them were "peacing" a quilt with squares on which the children had drawn peaceful ideas, creating a mosaic of the Chinese symbol for peace, lighting a world peace candle from the World Peace Organization, planting springtime bulbs of hope and creating the "Green Circle" of inclusion and social justice.

Contact: Gabrielle Maxey
901.678.2843
gmaxey@memphis.edu