Respect Day

Wednesday, October 15 – Respect Day at Pierce

October 15 is a special and symbolic day for Pierce. On this date in 1923, our School resumed operations in Palaio Faliro, following the destruction of Smyrna.

Every year, on this day, we celebrate Respect Day—a cherished Pierce tradition that honors our past and inspires our future. Students wear themed t-shirts and take part in a series of activities and events dedicated to respect, cooperation, and community.

For the 2025–26 academic year, the theme of Respect Day is:
“150 Years of The American College of Greece – From ‘I’ to ‘We,’ with respect and with vision.”

The activities that begin on October 15 extend beyond this day, continuing throughout the school year and inspiring our community every step of the way.

The following initiatives and activities have been designed and implemented for each School level:

At our Kindergarten, every day is an opportunity to build relationships of trust and love. Through this year’s Respect Day, children discover the power of cooperation, care, and forgiveness—learning that “together” is stronger than “I.”

They create group art projects inspired by Kintsugi, using recycled materials and golden details.
They play music and movement games and participate in theatrical activities that highlight the importance of listening, forgiving, and respecting one another.
Through storytelling and role-play, they learn to recognize and express their emotions.
They sing songs such as “Υπάρχει μια καρδιά που όλα τα χωρά” and “We’re all in this together,” celebrating friendship and unity.
They take part in team games in the schoolyard, discovering that each child has something special to offer to the group.

The day concludes with a joyful morning gathering, where children, parents, and teachers come together to sing, celebrate, and share moments of joy and emotion.

For our youngest students, Respect Day is a heartfelt reminder that education at Pierce begins from the heart—where art, music, play, and values become one.

In the Elementary School, students learn to translate the values of respect and kindness into action. Each class takes part in activities that combine imagination, teamwork, and the joy of creation:

Grade 1: Inspired by the book “Και γιατί πρέπει;” students join “The Turtle of Respect” activity, learning how to protect their boundaries and themselves with kindness.
Grade 2: Through the story “Και αν όλοι έκαναν το ίδιο;”, they create “The Magic Bubble”, cultivating respect for personal space.
Grade 3: Reading “Και αν όλοι έλεγαν το ίδιο;”, they build “Towers of Respect”, filled with words and images that express understanding and acceptance.
Grade 4: They weave “The Star of Respect”, an activity that highlights cooperation and teamwork.
Grades 5 & 6: They create “Stones of Respect”, painting and inscribing personal messages and drawings that form the number 150, in celebration of the School’s 150th anniversary.

Together, all Elementary students sing the “Song of Respect”, which has become a symbol and cherished tradition of this day.

In the Gymnasium, students explore the meaning of respect through reflection and creativity, connecting it with their personal values and vision for the future.

They attend a talk by the school psychologist on respect and its link to personal vision.
They create artistic expressions (drawings, texts, posters) that illustrate their personal vision within a framework of empathy and collaboration.Each class designs its own “Code of Respect”, displayed across the school buildings.
They participate in discussions and readings in English, enriching the theme of Respect Day with global perspectives.
They take part in volunteer actions, such as beach cleanups and book drives to support the creation of children’s libraries in Ivory Coast, in collaboration with the ELA–Africa organization.
They produce presentations and art projects inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, promoting active citizenship and collective responsibility.

In the Lyceum and IB, Respect Day becomes a time for reflection and action. Students take initiatives that strengthen their awareness as responsible, engaged citizens—living out the School’s motto:
Non ministrari sed ministrare (Not to be served, but to serve).

They create artworks, videos, posters, and theatrical performances inspired by respect and collaboration.
They produce radio shows, poems, and written works with personal and social messages.
They participate in volunteer initiatives, such as clean-up activities, meal offerings, and visits to community institutions.
They organize a “Student Dialogue Council” and the interactive game “Spread Respect”, fostering a spirit of participation and unity.