SCOUTS' SERVICE PROJECTS AT WASHINGTON BRIGHTEN SCHOOL

Students and staff at Washington Elementary School this fall will notice a few changes in the hallways.

Two scout groups have painted graphics in the school as service projects. The last crew finished painting their project Monday afternoon.

Darla Snider, third-grade teacher at Washington, said the idea to brighten up the building came from a joint faculty PTA meeting last year. "We talked about things we could do to improve the school."

Girl Scouts Kirsten Werne, Erica Welker and Tisha Ing, all freshmen and graduates of Washington School, put the finishing touches on their project Monday.

Werne explained that they decided to paint the words Washington School and a bear cub to brighten up the cafeteria as their Silver Award project.

The girls have worked daily for over a week to finish the logo.

Matt Shivelbine, whose mother was a teacher at Washington School last year, chose to do his Boy Scout's Eagle project at the school. He decided to paint graphics helping visitors at the school find their way around. He painted signs to help find the restrooms, the music room, the office and the water fountains.

"A friend and I designed what it would look like. We drew the idea onto a sketch pad and then came here and made big stencils," Shivelbine said.

He and fellow scout John Cochran traced the graphics onto the walls. Then a paint crew came in one day to finish the project.

"I wanted to do something a little different and something that used a little creativity," Shivelbine said.

Principal James Watkins said he encourages students to do service projects at the building.

"This is a way for kids to give something of themselves back to the community," Watkins said. "These new graphics will also, we hope, add a little school pride in our building."