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Harelson Elementary hosts 10th annual Peace Conference

By Som Lisaius - email

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - A message of peace from Southern Arizona's fifth graders--and it's happening right now at Harelson Elementary School.

At a glance, it probably seems like any other gathering of local fifth graders. But when you take a closer look, there's definitely something different going on at Harelson Elementary.

"Today's our 10th annual Peace Conference at Harelson," says principal Andy Heinemann.

So what, exactly, is a peace conference?

It's something started 10 years ago by Ann Jansen, behavioral intervention monitor at Harelson Elementary.

"It started with a flier from the YWCA," Jansen says.  "They were doing something called a week without violence."

And today involves some 200 fifth graders from the entire Amphitheater School District and beyond.

"They're at the point now where they have to learn to make their own choices," Jansen says.  "There isn't an adult along who can solve their problems."

That includes everything from using the right kinds of words and body language--all the way to stepping in and telling somebody they're wrong in certain situations.

Says Heinemann, referring to Miss Jansen, "She wanted to spread the word of peace, give kids strategies how to deal with bullies, how to deal with situations that are uncomfortable for kids. We want school to be a safe place."

Today, students and staff talked about bullying, taunting and teasing and how each is potentially more dangerous now thanks to email and text messaging.

An Oro Valley police officer discussed possible consequences for this behavior and students from CDO High School played a big role too.

"Because these kids are going to go back to another school," says CDO senior Gaizka Urreiztieta.  "It's all about teaching the other kids at their schools and then passing on, spreading the message of peace."

As a symbol of that, each student released a balloon into the Tucson sky, followed by a series of snow-white doves.  A tranquil end to a peace-filled day.  And a message shared all the same.

"That violence is not the answer," says Harelson fifth grader Hope Springetti.

"I guess peace is really the best thing," adds Harelson classmate Adam Derrick.