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Current Events

The CEASE Presentation at NAEYC in Dallas November 2008 was:

Developing "Green" and Socially Responsible Children: Voices for Creating Change

Chris Lamm, was joined by Ali Guerin and Ana Martinez, Youth Leaders and former campers at the Orange County, California Peace Camp. Ali and Ana shared stories of their growth as activists, including experiences that inspired them at a very young age to have a positive impact on their environment. These leadership experiences include taking responsibility for attentive listening, empathic communication, problem solving and follow through with practical applications. They highlighted strategies that participants will take back to their communities. For more about Orange County Peace Camp 2008 see (http://www.ocpeacecamp.com)

Chris Lamm, professor, Fullerton College, CA,
Ali Guerin and Ana Martinez

The CEASE 2008 Peace Awards were presented to
Karen Kosko, Diane Trister-Dodge, and Docia Zavitkowky.

 

Diane Trister-Dodge, Karen Kosko, and Docia Zavitkowsky
CEASE 2008 Annual Peace Awards winners

Karen Kosko is a peace educator at work everyday.  Her library has been the heart and soul of the Haggerty School.  She teaches that every person has a role in the future and lets children know how they can take action to make a better world.  Each year she builds towards Peace Day by introducing the whole school community to a place in the world which needs their understanding.  Visitors make reality of distant places.  Children look far and then look near as they vote each year for the Peace Makers within their classrooms and within their school and home communities.  For more on Karen’s work at the Haggerty School.  (Link to article)

Diane Trister-Dodge is a leader for quality in early education.  From working at Head Start in Mississippi to creating early childhood curriculum her work has been grounded in commitment to non-violence and justice.  True quality comes when classrooms respect all children and their teachers.  The Creative Curriculum from  Teaching Strategies has helped teachers bring quality to their students.  Her leadership and support for teachers as they struggle to continue in our profession strengthens their efforts and benefits children across the land.  CEASE is grateful for the sensitivity and clarity with which she brings peace issues to the heart of this work.   

Docia Zavitkowsky is a lifetime worker for children and peace.  She is a tireless activist and mentor who believes in the power of community.  Through her insightful observations and storytelling she reveals the commonality of people throughout the world and brings them together.  Never losing sight of the children and their teachers she has carried the message that Play Matters! around the world and back to her neighborhood.  Her commitment to the understanding of conflict and differences has fostered growth on the path to peace for children and adults alike.  Docia’s involvement in early childhood organizations, NAEYC, OMEP and CEASE has served children and our profession well for decades.

Celebrating 30 Years of CEASE in 2009

Our 30th Year Celebration began in Dallas and will culminate at the 2009 NAEYC Annual Conference, Nov. 18-21, 2009 in Washington D.C. 

The focus of our year’s work and our 2009 Seminar at NAEYC is Media: its role in the lives of children for good and ill!  Teachers and parents need support as they navigate the destructive forces of commercialism and violence in the media to which too many children are exposed.  They also need help to find the constructive and educational resources which well chosen media can provide. 

Please share your perspective on Media and children and stories of success you have had in your work with children and parents on this topic.  We will consider your contributions for publication in CEASE News.

Take Action:

CEASE asked NAEYC to include a Media Track in its conference offerings for next year.  This is not going to happen for 2009.  Please support this effort for the future by contacting NAEYC Board members.  A petition was submitted to the Board at the end of the Dallas Conference supporting this recommendation but was not acted upon favorably.  Go to Current Action page and look at #5 for more information on these issues.    

 

CEASE is a member-supported, volunteer organization. We hope you will join us at Membership, and learn more about how you can get involved on our Take Action Page.

CEASE is a project of the Survival Education Fund
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