Cozy Lake Students Get Peaceful

Students at Cozy Lake School spent part of their day on Friday laying on the front lawn of the school. They weren’t slacking off on learning. Quite the opposite—they were participating in International Day of Peace 2012.

Student Assistance Counselor Jennifer Markowick took the first and second graders through a series of stations designed to help them get in touch with their own body and feelings, in an effort for them to have peace within themselves.

“We really want to help the younger generation to establish a climate of peace,” Markowick said. “And what better way to celebrate than by doing meditation, breathing and having a little fun,” she said.

Markowick said that it’s been her experience that the children really understand the concept.

“They get the focus on inner peace much better than adults do,” she said.

The students had made and decorated pinwheels in honors of Pinwheels for Peace, celebrated in conjunction with International Day of Peace. They also made stress balls using sand and special balloons that don’t pop. Markowick took them through exercises including massaging and squeezing the ball to help them relax.

Second grader Chris Manco, particularly liked the stress balls.

“I keep mine under my bed,” Manco said. “I use them a lot.”

Stefania Santillo, also in second grade, said she enjoyed the meditation part of the program.

“I took a nap,” she said. “It was so nice to relax that I just closed my eyes.”

Markowick is satisfied that the students are enjoying the lessons and learning lessons.

“I want the students to learn that you can do much better at anything you do when you feel good,” she said.