On Friday, February 10, Wakefield School in The Plains held its second Class Day of the 2005-2006 school year.

Wakefield holds three "Class Days" each academic year, the second of which pairs classes from different Divisions in activities to help them know and understand one another better, while exploring a theme central to Wakefield's beliefs and mission.

The theme of this school year at Wakefield is "Making a Difference," and on this Class Day, students will be working together on projects that prompt thinking about the many ways to make a difference to others, especially those who are different from us.

Activities will include a service project for a Mexican orphanage, exploring games and art from around the world, writing to international pen pals, exploring our connection to those in need in Africa, understanding physical challenges, and stacking wood for neighbors in need in The Plains.

In several activities, one can see the imprint of History Department Chair Carolyn Wyrsch's recent experiences as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) teacher exchange program. This program allows distinguished primary and secondary school educators in the U.S. to travel to Japan for three weeks in an effort to promote greater intercultural understanding between the two nations. Upon their return, program participants share what they have learned about Japan with their students and communities through a variety of outreach projects.

Students in grades 4 and 10 were paired for the making of origami Peace Cranes to be sent to the Peace Park at Hiroshima. They also learned some Japanese script and were able to write brief messages to a Japanese pen pal, through a connection Mrs. Wyrsch has to a Japanese school.

Grades 3 and 9 worked on creating and decorating ceramic tiles to complement the "Peace Pole" that is to be created at the school as part of Mrs. Wyrsch's follow-up projects.

"Peace Poles" are simple obelisks, only about 4 feet in height, that exist all over the world at spots dedicated to commemorating the idea of peace. The closest Peace Pole to our area is in Manassas at the corner of Lee and Grant Streets, commemorating the occasion of a meeting and handshake at that spot between the two former enemies of the Civil War.

Mrs. Wyrsch plans to engage Wakefield students in the creation of a Peace Pole at the school. On each of its six sides will appear the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth," written in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Latin, and Arabic.

The inclusion of these six languages on the pole will remind students both of the sobering realities of our past and current conflicts around the world, and the hopeful future embodied by programs like the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund.