Yesterday Alissa Ess, School Social Worker and I began going down South Bell Avenue to do the first community survey about the mural project. It took two hours to go down just one side! We met and talked with the littlest and the oldest and everyone in between. We distributed flyers.
Reactions ranged from wonder to amazement to excitement. Got some great ideas ... "something that makes the kids happy..." "... something that reminds them to keep up their hopes - and that they belong in school ..." "... bumblebees..." "... school buses... with their faces looking out the window - to remind them they belong in school!..."
We're working our way through the neighborhood. If we haven't been to your house, we'll get there soon, if you're on S. Bell, Inger, Grigg, or Amhurst - and hopefully you can spread the word from there!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Community Mural Project - Is Born!
I am excited to announce that a tiny idea born in Mrs. Bunting's 1st grade class last winter has sprouted!
While learning about how kids can be good community citizens, students viewed an image of children painting a fence where graffiti had been. Several students talked about the graffiti on the retaining wall on S. Bell Avenue, and how riding by it day and day out on the school bus really got them down. (I wonder what it really does to all our inner attitudes to ride by profanity every day of our lives?)
Since that day, we have been able to propose the idea of not only cleaning this wall - but creating a mural that would be something uplifting to everyone in the neighborhood! Stanly County Board of Education has obtained permission to organize this project.
In August, staff from East Albemarle will be in the area to get residents' ideas about themes for the mural.
In September, a meeting will be held to inform the neighborhood of the ideas proposed, and to give information on how to submit drawings and ideas.
Art Teachers from the city schools will assist in rendering these submissions for approval, and by October the painting can begin. Elementary, Middle and High School students are encouraged to submit ideas and drawings - as well as adults!
If you'd like to follow the progress of this project, "subscribe" to this blog - and check the school website - or contact Maria Stine, East Albemarle School Counselor, at 704-982-5113.
Community Partners are needed for obtaining paint, supplies, and wall preparation services.
While learning about how kids can be good community citizens, students viewed an image of children painting a fence where graffiti had been. Several students talked about the graffiti on the retaining wall on S. Bell Avenue, and how riding by it day and day out on the school bus really got them down. (I wonder what it really does to all our inner attitudes to ride by profanity every day of our lives?)
Since that day, we have been able to propose the idea of not only cleaning this wall - but creating a mural that would be something uplifting to everyone in the neighborhood! Stanly County Board of Education has obtained permission to organize this project.
In August, staff from East Albemarle will be in the area to get residents' ideas about themes for the mural.
In September, a meeting will be held to inform the neighborhood of the ideas proposed, and to give information on how to submit drawings and ideas.
Art Teachers from the city schools will assist in rendering these submissions for approval, and by October the painting can begin. Elementary, Middle and High School students are encouraged to submit ideas and drawings - as well as adults!
If you'd like to follow the progress of this project, "subscribe" to this blog - and check the school website - or contact Maria Stine, East Albemarle School Counselor, at 704-982-5113.
Community Partners are needed for obtaining paint, supplies, and wall preparation services.
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