On Monday afternoon, we held our annual celebration of United Nations International Day of Peace with a "Peaceable Kingdom Parade." Children made and wore masks depicting different animals, based upon Edward Hicks' "Peaceable Kingdom" paintings, and processed past the Hickman and around the lawn.
The "Peaceable Kingdom" series of paintings are among the most famous works of Edward Hicks, a Bucks County Quaker who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based upon the Bible passage, "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb . . . and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) each painting contains a collection of animals and young children -- that normally would not get along -- lying, sitting and standing comfortably together. The background contains a scene of William Penn signing a peace treaty with the Native Americans.
West Chester native Horrace Pippin painted the "Holy Mountain" series in 1944, based upon the same Bible passage. A replica painted by WCFS students several years ago hangs in the lobby of the Activities Building.
The other "parades" this week were the start of the Morning Mileage Club. Teacher Amy has run the mileage club for the past several years at lunch time. This year, students can log laps on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before the start of school, and we have many motivated runners. It is a great sight to see students dropped their backpacks on line and quickly head out to the lawn. Word has it that some kids are more motivated to get out of bed and out the door on running mornings!
We had a good turnout for the first Chat With Matt session on Friday. I elaborated on the upper grades (3-5) schedule and curriculum enhancements that were introduced in my back-to-school letter. I was pleased to hear appreciation for changes to the art and music schedules (allowing larger and more effective blocks of time) as well as for the new lunch procedures. The next Chat is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at 2:30. See you there!
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