Dear FGCS families,

We are delighted to share with you that our students will participate in a “Pennies for Peace” campaign through Feb. 28 2010. “Pennies for Peace” is a service-learning program designed to broaden our students’ cultural horizons while teaching them about their capacities as philanthropists – one penny at a time.

“Pennies for Peace” is a program of Central Asia Institute (CAI), founded by Greg Mortenson – author of the book, Three Cups of Tea. CAI is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes and provides community-based education and literacy programs in remote mountain regions of Central Asia. Founded in 1996, CAI has built nearly 100 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which serve more than 28,000 students – over 14,000 of whom are girls.

How can a penny bring peace? It doesn’t buy much in our community; however, in the villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan, a penny can buy a pencil, start an education, and transform a life. The “Pennies for Peace” program goal at FGCS is to encourage our students, who are ultimately our future leaders, to learn the value of philanthropy by collecting pennies and to highlight the transformation small change can inspire. Our students will join others around the world who are participating in the “Pennies for Peace” program by working together as members of a global family dedicated to peace.

If you have any questions about this “Pennies for Peace” campaign, please contact the Tree Swallows’ teacher, Rachel Weil or the Kestrels’ teacher Charlie Graham at 503-359-4600. Look for collection jars at school. How many pennies can your child recover at home? Our students are eagerly looking forward to making “Pennies for Peace” a success!

Sincerely,

Rachel and Charlie