For Immediate Release
Communities In Schools of Central Texas Plans Live In Peace Week Activities for Eleven Central Texas High Schools
Austin, Texas – January 15, 2021 – The Communities In Schools (CIS) XY-Zone program kicks off Live In Peace Week activities each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, students from eleven Central Texas high schools will participate in a week of activities from January 19-22 around two themes – Inner Peace, and Outer Peace. Examples of Inner Peace include mindfulness, gratitude, and a focus on what we can control. Outer Peace refers to taking action to influence change, including non-violent protest and the pursuit of social justice.
Students helped plan Live In Peace Week activities which include schoolwide initiatives like peace-themed morning announcements, and a virtual peace pledge that will be circulated to students, teachers, and other campus-based staff. Zell Miller, III is facilitating a cross-campus workshop for Communities In Schools students from the eleven high schools – Navarro, Northeast, Crockett, LBJ, Eastside, Travis, Lockhart, Lehman, Hays, Manor, and Manor Senior High. His workshop will focus on achieving inner and outer peace through writing and spoken word exercises to empower students to use their own voices.
“A successful peace education program focuses on helping students develop the skills they need to solve conflicts in nonviolent ways, respect others, value diversity, and contribute positively to their communities. Now more than ever it is important that we all find ways to build connection, find common ground, and model kindness and care for others through our everyday actions.” – Suki Steinhauser, CEO, Communities In Schools of Central Texas
During Live In Peace Week, students will conduct interviews with family members to capture what peace means to different people. They will ask questions such as, “what is one thing you can do this week to fully live in peace?” and “how can you encourage others in your life to embrace non-violence?” The answers they collect will be documented, consolidated, and shared back with them for further exploration and discussion.
Live In Peace Week interview opportunities include a Communities In Schools student and their CIS Coordinator, and Zell Miller, III. Contact Debra Joiner, Sr. Director of Communications, to set up an interview at djoiner@ciscentraltexas.org.
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About Communities In Schools of Central Texas
Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CIS) works directly inside PK-12 schools full time in partnership with teachers and administrators to address immediate student needs. The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The organization serves 96 Central Texas schools in seven school districts (Austin, Bastrop, Elgin, Hays, Lockhart, Manor, and San Marcos) with services ranging from mental health counseling to crisis intervention, basic needs assistance, mentoring, and academic intervention. Visit ciscentraltexas.org to learn more, or watch our new video.
Media Contact Debra Joiner, Sr. Director of Communications, djoiner@ciscentraltexas.org