In February, select senior and junior high religion, art and geography classes contributed to the CreatePeaceProject by decorating postcards with their artwork, along with writing notes to send to students at a school in Uganda. Recently, BSM has been receiving responses from the students at the school.

The cards, both from BSM students and Ugandan students, were a way to not only connect with other countries and regions, but also to promote peace in the world by recognizing fellow students and schools across the globe. “Students could write their name, email and/or school address to possibly start some sort of pen pal relationship if possible,” middle school and high school art teacher Ms. Leah Klister said.

Overall, the responses arrived in amounts equal to those that were sent, because there were a variety of classes and faculty that participated in the project. “Some BSM faculty and staff members did it during their Catholic Schools Week retreat, three other drawing classes, a few of my painting students, Mrs. Kern’s Geography classes and Mrs. LeBlanc’s religion classes, and in the middle school Mrs. Hinnendael’s 8th grade classes and then my 7th grade art classes did it,” Klister said.

The cards sent by Ugandan students were either addressed to a specific BSM student, or were just a general greeting to BSM. They had drawings, paintings, and notes from the Ugandan students thanking BSM for sending them the postcards, and telling them a bit about themselves. “For the most part it was an even trade; some students have received two back, and some [responses] were one card that two [Ugandan students] worked on. Some of the cards were addressed specifically to the student, and others were just more of an open, general card,” Klister said.

With such success from the CreatePeaceProject postcard exchange, BSM and Mrs. Lenhart-Murphy are deciding if they want to expand the venture into a more school-wide project, instead of just a few interested classes and teachers. If BSM were to participate again, it would also be with a different school than the one contacted this year. “If we did it again, it would not be with the same school or area. When––and if––we contact Ross Holzman [the founder of the program] again, he would give us a new school. He’s done [CreatePeaceProject] in India, other parts of Africa, and other regions,” Klister said.