“To me, Smith was awesome. There were so many amazing programs, activities and fun ways of learning. I knew I was moving on, but I love Smith so much…and wanted to show my gratitude to all the staff because they were so nice,” said Laila Blumer. “This is my way of thanking them and leaving a bit of me and part of the community at Smith.”
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And what part of her, and the community, was left? She remembers when her mother talked about the fun map, and she came up with the idea to bring back that activity to the playground.
Smith Elementary now has huge visual aid so students can easily remember all 50 states. The nation’s map is easy to spot on the black asphalt playground at the school. The states are painted bright, cheery colors and outlined in white. Ohio stands out as a yellow state surrounded by a blue Indiana, a red Michigan, a green Kentucky, a blue West Virginia, and a red Pennsylvania.
Before she got started, however, she needed the approval of the Smith Elementary PTO.
“When Laila presented her request, I was impressed with her thorough research. She had suggestions for places to order the stencils, types of paint to use, the cost of the project, everything,” said Smith principal Lynn Cowell. “She had gone above and beyond what typical students would do to ‘sell’ me on their idea.”
Laila Blumer included the community in her gratitude because after she received PTO approval and stencil funds for the project, she was bombarded with willing volunteers.
“When so many people in the community reached out, it took me by surprise,” said Molly Blumer, who was also a former member of the Smith student council. “I thought it would be hard to get even a few donations and volunteers, but just like that we reached our goal and had a least a dozen interested in helping to paint. It was an awesome feeling when I knew so many people wanted to help and donate.”
The colorful and educational addition to the playground was finished before school started on August 14. Now the elementary students can have their fun while learning about U.S. geography during recess.
For example, fifth graders who sing a song about the 50 states now will go outside at times for class and to use the playground map.
Results like that are gratifying to hear to the young lady and volunteers who made the map possible.
“Our informal goal was, and remains, to allow opportunities for our students to become leaders in authentic ways and to foster service learning,” said Cowell. “Smith Elementary will now have games and the U.S. map for students to use, both at recess and with their classes. Laila is a role model for others who may want to get something started at their school. Her diligence brought her goal to fruition.”
Contact contributing writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.
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