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Peace; paix; vrede; mir.

The sun shined across a cloudless blue sky and the wind blew softly as Robert Goddard Montessori School students and faculty filled the school's courtyard for the dedication of a peace pole and their first-ever day of peace.

The Lanham school dedicated a white, four-sided wooden peace pole that says "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in eight languages in the school's butterfly garden Sept. 24. Peace poles are reminders to visualize and pray for world peace.

"Peace on Earth begins in the heart," said Suzi Johnson, principal of Robert Goddard Montessori. "This is a symbol of peace in education; may peace prevail on Earth."

The inspiration for the day, which the school plans to hold annually, came from the United Nations' annual International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, and the idea came from the school's peace committee, made up of nearly a dozen faculty members who have planned peaceful activities throughout the year. A student peace committee formed Sept. 22.

Pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students carried a flag with two doves, a peace banner, sang peace songs, read peace poems and said "may peace prevail on Earth" in the eight languages that represent the school community.

"It was cool," said Julian Ivey, 13, an eighth-grader who sang during the ceremony. "We need more peace, non-violence and cooperation."

Younger elementary students sang "Peacemakers," a song about how "peacemakers talk about it, they don't fight about it." They shook hands halfway through the song and ended the song singing "let's be friends today." Older elementary students sang "A Song of Peace," and middle school students sang "Peace Will Come." All school levels – together, in rounds – sang "Peace Is the World Smiling."

"Today was a good day for the dedication; it's a nice day, there's no rain clouds, and it's a good day to sing out loud," said Ashley Adams, 8, a fourth-grader at Robert Goddard Montessori. "I desperately hate the war in Iraq. I'm a big fan of peace and I don't like war."

Wendell Stephenson, 13, an eighth-grader who sang during the ceremony, agreed.

"Peace means no violence, and everyone is getting along," he said. "Too many people are dying. We need more peace in the world. I don't pick fights."

Nearly 27 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring an International Day of Peace as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence that promotes education and public awareness occur. In 2001 the assembly set Sept. 21 as the date to observe the day, according to the United Nations Web site.

The World Peace Prayer Society, an organization that promotes the poles, says there are more than 200,000 peace poles in 180 countries.

Montessori education founder Maria Montessori "founded her vision on education and peace," said Kathy Schwab, assistant principal of Robert Goddard Montessori. "Peace is the work of education."

The peace pole was not installed because of any fighting or violence, which is not a problem at the school, said Candace Gunn, school-based parent liaison for Robert Goddard Montessori. Administrators are unaware of other area schools with peace poles.

Robert Goddard Montessori will hold a different peace event from September through June, Schwab said. The October event is still being planned, but the November event will focus on giving thanks and being thankful—peace as appreciation and gratitude.

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.