Crab Orchard Elementary School has creatively found a way to beautify the hallways of the school while also finding a way to memorialize some special students who have passed away in recent years.
COES teacher Denise Bastin said the idea to paint the halls came about during a PLC meeting last year. “We discussed going all the way up the ramp and stairs continuing with the bright cheery color scheme that already existed,” she said.
The mural is an outside school scene that includes cartoon students, playground equipment, beautiful landscaping and a school bus. If you look closely at the cartoon drawings, you will see a student on a bus and another waving on a running course.
“We had a young student suddenly pass away last year. This was hard for our staff and community. This particular student loved the school bus. So we thought it would be a great way to memorialize him,” said Mrs. Bastin. “The student running is also in memory of a student who passed away at a young age that holds a special place in our school and community. It’s like ‘if you know, you know’ when you look at the mural. If you don’t know, then it’s still a cute scene for students and staff to enjoy each day.”
COES staff isn’t done with the mural yet. Mrs. Hoskins, the art teacher at the school, will be adding to the existing mural using kids hands and fingerprints for flowers, butteries, etc. going down the ramp. This project is a way for every COES student to have a part in the mural at some point during the coming years.
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