Throughout the month of March, Ocean City Intermediate School students and staff worked together to make 1,000 origami cranes to promote peace and understanding within the district through art, reading and writing.
Students and staff were encouraged to participate in making multiple cranes to be hung throughout the school building for the remainder of the school year, according to a school district news release.
Student Assistance Counselor Eileen Conover began the initiative after she was inspired by the Peace Crane Project, which helps students make a difference in their community while improving their hand-eye coordination and practice writing skills.
The Peace Crane Project was created by former Disney animator and children’s book author/illustrator Sue DiCicco.
It was launched in 2012 with the goal of giving children an outlet of creative freedom and connection to their peers. The program also stemmed from a desire to create more conversation around peace in times of turmoil.
“Each year, students engage in various projects, each cherished by administrators, teachers and staff — but this one was something special,” Ocean City Intermediate School Principal Mike Mattina said in the release.
Mattina continued, “Getting to see the cranes every day as we walk into the building, it automatically changes your mood, your outlook on the day — especially mine. The cranes not only provided a very important lesson to our students and staff, but they also continue to stand as symbols of what OCIS values most — love, growth, and progress.”
The nationwide Peace Crane Project was inspired by events dating back decades ago. The story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia from the Hiroshima bombing in 1945, was why it became popular to fold cranes and make a wish.
Sadako attempted to fold 1,000 cranes before her passing, and her community carried on her legacy, donating cranes to places around the world in need of healing. In Japanese lore, the crane was thought to live for 1,000 years.
The official project at the Ocean City Intermediate School was launched on March 8 as a tribute to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day. Teachers and staff took the opportunity to educate students on the value of SEL, as well as the meaning of the Peace Crane Project.
A complementary initiative, “The Crane Train,” led by fourth grade teachers Erin Porter and Helene Kelly, was created to have fourth grade students help eighth grade students who needed assistance with the crane origami.
Students were enthusiastic to take part in the project, not only beautifying their school, but also making a positive impact on their peers and teachers.
“It was a domino effect, the cranes were fun to create for students, but the sight of them every day throughout the building has made the lasting impact. It’s a daily reminder of positivity,” said Conover.
Conover added, “As a student advocate and mentor, I know this is one of those teachable moments that I will never forget — our student’s mission to spread peace and hope to others, or their passion to impact change in our community and beyond.”
At the end of the school year, all cranes will be taken down and distributed to students as an additional initiative to keep the conversation of peace going.
