PS 269 Peace Rally and Wounded Warrior Program

PS 269 is dedicated to educating young people in intercultural understanding and creative non-violent approaches to conflict.

Children’s families from the Flatbush neighborhood coming from Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries participated in the 7th annual Peace Rally on June 17, 2011. The students celebrated schoolwide peace and service learning projects.

Under the leadership of Ms. Phyllis Corbin, principal, students, parents and staff were trained in conflict resolution, bullying prevention and peer mediation. Programs from the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility includes The Resolving Conflicts Creatively Program and The 4 R’s (Reading, Writing, Respect and Resolution). This training taught students how to resolve conflicts in school as well as in the neighborhood and to help create a more peaceful community.

Students were asked what peace means to them. Hasquilina Santiago age 10 said, “Peace is caring for others and not hurting people’s feelings”. Imani Decunha, age 9 said, “I resolve conflicts by talking and not using my hands or feet”.

The school was also involved with the Mighty Milers Fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. A check of $3,000 was presented to Tony Ntellas, Event Specialist at The Wounded Warrior Project.

This year, PS 269 will be the proud recipient of the prestigious 2010-2011 Service in Schools Award from the Office of the Mayor that highlights service accomplishments from area schools