On Friday, March 4, 2022, Elliott Street School received a visit from award-winning journalist Mariela Salgado. She interviewed students and staff inquiring on what strategies teachers were using to engage students in discussing the tragic events occurring in Ukraine and any advice they could offer parents when talking to their children about war and tragedy. During their interview with Ms. Salgado, one student shared, “I identify with the children in Ukraine…I went through the same thing.”

This visit came just as the school’s leadership team learned that Elliott Street School had been declared an official Peace Site in 1995 by congressman Donald Payne. In commemoration of this great honor, Principal Karissa DeSantis and Vice-Principal Daniel Guerra decided to renew Elliott’s commitment to peace. Students began working on Peace Plans designed to promote peace, acceptance, and equitable practices throughout their school community. The plans include incorporating the original Elliott Peace Pledge into their daily routines, posting messages of positivity throughout hallways, as well as wearing blue and yellow ribbons in honor of the Ukrainian people. Principal DeSantis has declared that on April 14, 2022, Elliott Street School will celebrate its first annual Peace Day. This year they will wear ribbons of peace in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian Flag.