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Mural Project

BEF invested in hand on, experiential learning at Ridgewood Elementary School, helping students to broaden their perspectives and build community through art over a year-long project to design a welcome mural in the school entrance.
Mural

At A Glance:

BEF Investment: $750.00

50%

Of the school's students submitted mural design ideas

39

Students refined ideas to create the final mural

Art is essential. It is used to visually teach students about their own community and history and serves as a representative display of the student population. At Ridgewood Elementary, BEF funded a year-long mural project to replace an existing, outdated mural created in 1995. The new one encompasses the diversity of the student population, providing more welcome and a sense of belonging. The entire student body was invited to submit mural designs, and half of all students submitted designs. The final mural design selected by teams of older students exemplified the themes of inclusiveness, diversity, creativity, and joy. Most of the mural was painted before the end of the school year and students raved about the experience.

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My favorite part of the mural project was seeing my friends and meeting new people. The thing I like best about the mural is Ridgie, the Road Runner and school mascot.

4th Grade Student

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The process was amazing. When painting, it was like being in another world. And meeting new friends was spectacular. I felt like everyone was welcome here. I felt like I belonged.

3rd Grade Student

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My favorite thing about the mural was getting to know lots of people and actually getting to a voice in the mural. What the mural means to me is getting to paint a mural that represents our school. I noticed that the mural really brought us all together and made a lot of people feel nice to each other.

3rd Grade Student

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I liked my mural group because everyone gets to help choose and express their emotions and ideas.

3rd Grade Student

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I loved the idea of painting the mural and I still do!

4th Grade Student

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I was actually surprised at all the great ideas that kids came up with, even the kindergarteners and first graders had really good ideas for the mural. I am so happy that our new mural is more inclusive. I think everyone will feel welcome at Ridgewood when they see this mural, no matter what.

5th Grade Student

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When a student said to his mom that the mural looked like him, I cried with happiness that he could feel like he belonged because a kid on the mural had his skin color and glasses just like his. This was the best thing that could have happened for this student who was not yet feeling a connection with our school. The joy on his face was priceless.

Teacher

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