What sets The Jerusalem American School apart?
- PEACE HISTORY CURRICULUM - What sets Jerusalem School apart from any other American international school for Palestinians is the peace curriculum it implements. From 3rd-12th grade, students study nonviolent revolutions and peacemaking heroes throughout history (for example: Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Malala, Ghaffar Khan, etc.). Intermixed with a regular history curriculum, the Jerusalem School stresses the importance of understanding our world through the lens of a peacemaker - in hopes that peacemakers will rise up within our student population.
- DAYS OF PEACE - The Jerusalem School celebrates modern-day peace heroes on the elementary, upper elementary, middle school and high school level. On a bi-weekly, bi-monthly basis, we keep track of how many days "peace has gone by in the school (no fighting, no in school suspension, no misguided leadership, etc.). This is a way to motivate students to go the "extra mile" on a daily basis.
- PEACE WEEK - Yearly, a week is set aside to invite speakers and various musicians to share what they are doing to promote peace and non-violence. Each day we have special assemblies with guest speakers. Some go to classes afterwards for more in depth dialogues for students to interact with the speaker. This is a very exciting week for our JS.
- ANNUAL PEACE CONCERT - The Jerusalem School has proudly hosted the annual Peace Concert at the end of our peace week. In the past, it has been hosted at the YMCA center in Jerusalem and has been hosted by Superintendent Ross Byars and musically led by "Peter, Paul and Mary's" Peter Yarrow! Peace-making organizations and musical clubs are invited to participate and celebrate the work being done in this land.
- ACTIVISM FIELD TRIPS - On the high school level, students have the privilege to take what they've learned in peace history classes and apply it in projects particular to the region they live in. Whether planting olive trees at Tent of Nations, renovating neighboring Palestinian homes, or having tea with an Israeli, they experience what the meaning of "peace begins with me" truly is.
Peace Pledge I believe that Peace Begins with Me, So I must become the change I want to see. I cannot shake hands with clenched fists, For violence shackles the mind not merely the wrists. Where there is no forgiveness, there is no peace. So I will offer forgiveness so others may gain peace. I will learn the way, live the way, and lead the way of peace. For I know that peace is the only way. --Shane A. Scott |
|