Pioneer Elementary Gets A Peace PolePosted on 06/12/2023
On Tuesday morning, May 23, 2023 Parker’s Pioneer Elementary held a celebration for the addition of a Peace Pole Garden to their school. Their Peace Pole has the inscription of “May Peace Prevail on Earth” from the countries of the eight most commonly spoken languages in Douglas County including: Belarus, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States. Pioneer Elementary’s Peace Pole garden provides a quiet spot for the Douglas County Community to reflect upon what it means to live peacefully among different cultures and beliefs.
The idea of the Peace Pole came from one of Pioneer Elementary’s Educational Assistants(and former classroom teacher of 22 years) Kimberly Simpson, in collaboration with 1st Grade Teacher Ally Wingert and her 1st Grade students. The Peace Pole is surrounded by hand painted bricks created by each of Ms. Wingert’s 1st Grade Students depicting what peace is to that student.
This is the only registered Peace Pole in Douglas County, and just the eighth registered in Colorado. Ms. Wingert and Mrs. Simpson created the Peace Pole Garden to reflect these essential skills:
Comparing one’s attitudes and beliefs to others. (Civic/Interpersonal Skills: Global/Cultural Awareness)
Identifying and explaining cultural perspectives that constitute our diverse society. (Civic/Interpersonal Skills: Global/Cultural Awareness).
The Peace Pole ceremony was presented by Pioneer Elementary Principal Gina Landis and included special guests Josh Rivero (parent of 2 Pioneer Elementary graduates, member of Parker Town Council, and owner of Fika Coffee House), and Julie Yeros (former Pioneer Elementary Teacher and Founder of Globe Trottin Kids, inspiring the idea of the Peace Pole.)
For more information about the International Peace Pole Project, please visit: www.peace pole project.org.
