Sept. 21 was International Day of Peace. To honor the occasion, 10 students from Friday Harbor Elementary School flew a large peace dove around the playing fields of the school.

The dove was constructed of five sheets, chicken wire, duct tape and wood. The project was put together by education volunteer Jennifer Wilson, who recently moved to San Juan Island. After gaining approval from Principal Gary Pflueger, Wilson coordinated volunteers from the fifth grade to build the dove.

The children gave up five recesses to dedicate their time to the project.

The idea to build the dove came from the website www.rootsandshoots.org, an organization affiliated with Dr. Jane Goodall and dedicated to making positive changes for communities, for animals and for the environment.

The students who flew the dove had many things to say about peace, including “Peace means being nice to everyone,” “Peace is the world,” and “Pick up garbage and be positive.”

Pflueger said he was happy with the outcome of the project. “I thought it was a nice idea. The kids surely enjoyed showing off their dove. It was a real nice thought and a positive project. The kids learned a good message.”