On Thursday, April 7, more than 100 volunteers brought out paint, plants, and elbow grease to beautify the Tunnell Elementary School campus. The beautification project was made possible through a Give and Grow Grant provided by Santa Maria business Zodiac Aerospace. The volunteers, many who work for Zodiac Aerospace, painted murals, planted low-maintenance landscaping, created a concrete walkway, added colorful designs to playground asphalt, and installed new picnic tables, benches, backpack hooks, and fence signs. The work was completed by the end of the day.
Indoor murals highlight technology and California and U.S. history. Outdoor murals focus on healthy lifestyles, positive character traits, and becoming “college and career ready.” The school logo and thunderbird mascot was painted on the front of the school. The school’s existing garden was cleaned up and fruit trees planted. Drought-tolerant plants were placed in planters throughout the school. New concrete stepping stones now link the kindergarten classrooms to the kindergarten playground. Volunteers also installed hooks outside of classrooms so that students can hang their backpacks.
The Give and Grow Grant aims to create a more inviting school atmosphere where students feel proud to attend, according to a press release by Maggie White, spokeswoman for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Part of Give and Grow’s mission is to enhance local schools through improvements to their grounds and buildings that will facilitate student learning.
In a press release, Tunnell Principal Linda Muranaka said that everyone at the school is appreciative of the work because they wouldn’t have the money or manpower to complete those projects otherwise. “The Give and Grow Grant is truly a gift,” she said.
Zodiac Aerospace has provided Give and Grow grants to several schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District over the past few years. Murals have been painted and work has been done at Robert Bruce, Alvin, Miller, and Fairlawn schools in Santa Maria in past years.
This article appears in Apr 14-21, 2016.