"Peace Begins With Me and Ends With Us"
Part of McGalliard School's mission is to make the school's neighborhood a peaceful place. But when vandalism became a problem on the outside of the school, students and staff worked together to create a mural that would extend character education principles. The mural was painted to be visible within the school and from outside of the building. The art teacher, counselor, teachers, students, and principal were part of the process. It was scripted as "Peace Begins with Me and Ends with Us." It was the school's hope that the current students would be proud of their work on the mural long after their elementary school career had ended, and that sense of pride would help them and their communities to prevent future acts of vandalism. The school also hoped that the beautiful mural would take this message outside of the school and deter others from vandalizing school property when no one was around. Although the mural was completed in one school year, the current 5th grade class painted colorful thumbprint flowers to leave their mark on the mural, which is something the school will encourage future 5th grade students to do and spread their sense of peace within the school and community.