September 21st is
International Day of Peace

President's Letter
Value Focus:   Peace
  

Dear Friends

Summer may not be officially over but for those of us in education a new school year has begun!  It's a time of new beginnings, including a NEW "peacebuilding" initiative of the United Nations. 
 
"Peacebuilding" is different from peacemaking and peacekeeping in that it focuses on creating a long-term culture of peace, rather than solving existing conflicts or preventing old ones from re-occurring.  Peacebuilding activities aim at building understanding and tolerance between individuals, communities and societies and establishing new structures of cooperation.  Peacebuilding activities range in scale from personal acts of kindness toward others to global inter-governmental programs.
 
EVERYONE can participate, and we encourage you to do so by visiting the website International Day of Peace Site.
 
Schools with character education programs may want to list their events.  State governments and local municipalities can issue proclamations and hold special programs; families can make a promise for peace, individuals can offer a moment of silence or a peaceful thought for the world. 

 
Become a Peacebuilder!  Join with the Living Values Education Program in marking this special day!
 
Peacefully,

Kathy

Kathleen A. Shea, Ph.D.

President

Deepen your peacemaking powers

Upcoming Events:

NORTHWEST AREA:

Living Values Support Group Meeting in the Seattle Area

The above support group will be meeting every 2nd Monday of the month. Teachers who are using Living Values in their schools and parents who are interested are welcome. Meeting will be held at various Seattle schools or homes as people volunteer. For more information and meeting place, please call Mari at 206-524-6258
 
 
 
MIDATLANTIC AREA:

CEP's 16th National Forum on Character Education

The Character Education Partnership invites you to its fall Forum 2009, at "Citizens of Character - the Foundation of Democracy"
October 29-31, 2009
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia

The conference will bring together nearly a thousand K-12 educators, community leaders and other leading thinkers who are transforming schools through effective character education. 

Go to: http://www.character.org/2009conference
 
 
 
SOUTHWEST/CALIFORNIA

Create Peace and Respect in Your Classroom
October 15, 22, 29 and November 5, 2009 - Los Angeles

This LVE workshop will be held on four Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 8:15 p.m. at West Adams Preparatory High School at 1500 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles (90007).  One salary point credit is available to LAUSD educators who complete this 15 hour course and the 30 hours of homework. Teachers at all grade levels and content areas are welcome.
 
This LVE Workshop will be led by Lorien Eck a National Board Certified Teacher, LACOE Teacher of the Year, and experienced LVE teacher. Possible Special Guest presenter Diane Tillman, Licensed Educational Psychologist and the primary author of the award-winning Living Values Series, may join us for some of the workshop.

The workshop will include information about LVE's theoretical model, the breadth of the program internationally, as well as time for reflection, sharing, role-playing and play. Skills to create a values-based atmosphere and values activities will be explored.

Please register by October 1st.  The $40 materials fee includes a Living Values Activity book and a LVE informational notebook. The materials fee needs to be paid in advance to secure space in workshop.

To register, email Lorien Eck at lre0878@lausd.net.

In Their Own Words:

Peace Lesson 6
Baking a World Cake

Make a World Cake of human qualities and characteristics. This activity provides an opportunity for students to think about a better world, create, and discuss what they think is important with their peers, parents, and teachers.  Allow the students to work in small groups to "bake" the cake.
 
Discuss

• What are the finest human qualities you think should be in the "World Cake"?
• Would all the ingredients be pure, or would you include some "not so good" ingredients to remind us we need to work together to remove those items that cause harm or hurt?

Activity

Step 1 Choose the ingredients:  Make a list of the finest human qualities you would like to put into your World Cake. 
Step 2 Choose the amount of each ingredient:  The amount of each ingredient can be measured in grams, kilograms, tons, percentages, or any other suitable way.
Step 3 Mixing and baking the cake:  Describe the order in which you would put the ingredients into the cake mix and explain how you would mix and bake the cake. 
Step 4 Presenting your work: You can record your work in any way you wish.  Your presentation can be as simple, imaginative, creative, and illustrated as you wish.
Step 5 Sharing your work:  Talk about your World Cake with family and friends.  Explain that the ingredients and the way it is baked make it taste the way it does.  Invite them to share their feelings about your cake.

 
Display

Put your work in a folder, on the wall, or in shop windows in the community.

Another possibility:  Send copies of your recipes to the World Peace Messenger Organization at the United Nations.
 
End the Lesson with a peace song.

Resources on Peace

Donation and Referral

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