Author:Nicole Gascon

Over the course of the week of November 4th, through videos, students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 learned about the poppy and its importance as well as the veterans who fought for our freedom. Students also participated in the Peace Crane Project which invites every student in the world to fold an origami crane, write a message of peace on its wings, then exchange it with another student somewhere in the world. A “peace crane” is an origami crane used as peace symbol, by reference to the story of Sadako Sasaki (1943– 1955), a Japanese victim of the long-term effects of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Sasaki was said to have folded one thousand origami cranes before her death. The Peace Crane Project builds friendships, strengthens hand-eye coordination and writing skills, teaches geography, exposes students to new languages and cultures, and empowers youth to make a difference in their community, country, and world.

On Friday, November 8th the grade 6, 7 and 8 students hosted Pythagoras Academy’s Remembrance Day service. Students started the assembly by lighting a candle to honour and recognize the 69 different countries that are currently at war in our world. Before the assembly Grade 6, 7, and 8 students reflected on what peace was and expressed their feelings on peace through artwork. That artwork was displayed during the assembly and a few of the students elaborated on their artwork during the service.

A very special Pythagoras Academy thank you to Master Seaman Alan Vu for coming to our school and participating in our service. Before the service MS Vu spoke to Grade 6, 7 and 8 students and answered any questions they had about what it was like being a naval officer as well as the training process. During our service MS Vu, along with one of the Grade 6 students helped lay a wreath of poppies on the cross. During his presentation he introduced staff and students to a few key figures of World War I and II as well as some current heroes from the wars of today. MS Vu also took one of our Pythagoras Academy wreaths and placed it on the cenotaph at city hall during the Remembrance Day service held there on November 11th, 2019.