Unity and Peace Candlelight Vigil
November 17, 2008

Ms. Lizewski's Opening Remarks

"We gather here tonight as one.  We are the community of Medford Elementary School.
There are no politicians here, no legislators.  We are teachers, parents, students, neighbors, friends.
Look around and you will see a mosaic.  You will see the beauty of diversity, how it enriches our lives, our community.
Sadly, diversity or the differences among us have also formed the basis of fear, bigotry, and violence.
As principal of Medford Elementary School, I offer you this.  Through education, we teach and learn from
others in a mutually supportive environment.  Education universalizes the human spirit.  It celebrates diversity by
respecting and valuing different heritages, beliefs and cultures.  Dr. Samuel Betances, a professor at Northeastern
University, once said, 'If you gain a new language, you gain a new world.'  I believe that the reverse is also true.
'If you lose a language, you lose a world.'  The language that we should all speak is that of tolerance, peace and unity.
By learning to recognize our similarities and appreciate our differences, our lives are enhanced.  Together we overcome
prejudice and intolerance.  Together, we can work toward a more peaceful, unified, productive community and world."
 

PEACE PLEDGE

I will pledge to be part of the solution.
I will eliminate taunting and bullying from my own behavior.
I will encourage others to do the same.
I will not let my words or actions hurt others.
And if others won't become part of the solution, I WILL.

PLIEGO DE PAZ

Yo prometo ser parte de la soluciόn.
Yo eliminaré el criticismo y la intimidación de mi propia conducta.
Yo formentaré a ostros hacer lo mismo.
Yo no permitiré  que mis palabras o acciones hieran a otros.
Y si los otros no llegan a ser parte de la soluciόn, YO SERÉ.