Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Peace Day Chicago

CHICAGO -- Students, staff, and families across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will come together today to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Peace Day Chicago. For nearly five decades, Peace Day Chicago has highlighted the unique contributions of Chicagoans and the work they do to make Chicago a model city of peace.

“Countless students, staff, and families in our District have been directly impacted by violence,” said CEO Pedro Martinez. “Peace Day Chicago compels us to remember the lives we’ve lost to violence and gives all Chicagoans the opportunity to stand united for peace. As an honorary co-chair of the Chicago Build the Peace Committee, I am committed to helping foster more peaceful schools and a more peaceful Chicago.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson and CEO Martinez will join the Peace Day Chicago celebration today at Daley Plaza, which will feature a World Peace Flag Ceremony, music, a Call to Peace, and a minute of silence for World Peace. The Peace Day Chicago Celebration is free and open to the public.

Schools across the District will commemorate International Peace Day, which is modeled after Peace Day Chicago, with community walks, school-wide reflections, creating peace promises, and writing peace letters to the community, among other projects. Many CPS students will join Mayor Johnson and CEO Pedro Martinez at the Peace Day Chicago Celebration in Daley Plaza.

Media is welcome to any of the following events but must alert CPS via communications@cps.edu in advance. Please note these are just a sample of the many school-based activities taking place this month.

Peace Day Events 2023

• On September 20th, beginning at 9 a.m., students at Drummond Montessori School (1845 W. Cortland St.) will present their peace promises that each class agreed to and perform a schoolwide rendition of Nothing More by Alternate Routes. Drummond students will stand in the shape of a peace sign with a drone capturing video.
• On September 21st, Sutherland Elementary School (10015 S. Leavitt Ave.) will hold their annual Peace Day celebration at 8:30 a.m. with a school-wide ceremony held at the Sutherland Peace Garden. Students, staff and the community will gather to reflect on peace and celebrate creating a safe space at Sutherland and in the community.
• On September 21st, Libby Elementary School (5300 S. Loomis Blvd.) will host its annual Peace Walk through Sherman Park at 2 p.m. The annual event peacefully commemorates friends, parents, and loved ones lost to violence.