For 18 years I walked on to a campus that, to be honest, somehow looked like a post WWII detention center to me. Back East where I grew up schools were made of brick and mortar and had style. California must have had budget problems back in the 50's just like they do now and with the baby boom just built the most economical schools as quickly as possible. The result is frankly depressing. Some people believe that environment can have a serious effect on childrens learning. It certainly affected me. As I found my way to my room, which I always tried to make the happiest place a child could be, I had to pass 6 PK and Kindergarten room all in a row, no color, nothing inviting. So, my next project was born just two months after we finished the big mural on the yard. I wanted something that would identify the this area and welcome children. The kindergarten students sponge painted the walls and I traced them in a variety of play activities. The parents of the children filled in the silhouettes of their own children. I love to see the kids come by to see what they looked like when they were 5. The transformation of the area was the spark that set plans in motion for my post retirement.
LESSON LEARNED: When painting a background that is not wall to wall, top to bottom, always put up masking tape and check with a level to get a clean cutoff edge.
