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Washington students decorate school fence

Positive message art project ties into bullying prevention month at Lincoln

Kalen McCain

Oct. 23, 2024 1:12 pm

Lincoln Elementary and Washington Middle School students weave a colorful design into the fence around Lincoln Elementary, where they hope a series of positive message will prevent bullying and add cheerful decorations to the playground. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Lincoln Elementary and Washington Middle School students weave a colorful design into the fence around Lincoln Elementary, where they hope a series of positive message will prevent bullying and add cheerful decorations to the playground. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

WASHINGTON — Art students spent last week weaving fabric and strips of plastic through a fence around Lincoln Elementary’s playground, leaving messages they hope will prevent bullying and cheerfully decorate the schoolyard.

Lincoln Art Teacher Jenny Humphreys said the “Art for Change” lesson to fourth-graders focused on how students saw themselves treating one another at school, and how they could cultivate positive changes from those observations. The activity ties into bullying prevention month activities all around the school.

The fence weaving project involved both Humphreys’ fourth grade class and eighth grade art students from Washington Middle school just a few blocks away.

“I thought this would be a great opportunity to collaborate with some older students, and I didn’t think it was something I could undertake on my own,” Humphreys said. “It’s been really fun to see it all come together throughout the week.”

Fourth graders and eighth graders worked together to weave colorful letters and messages into the fence at Lincoln Elementary. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Fourth graders and eighth graders worked together to weave colorful letters and messages into the fence at Lincoln Elementary. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

The teacher said the decorations would stay up “as long as it looks good!” The colorful ornaments are tied securely to the fence, and the project was finished by last week’s end, despite a somewhat slow start.

Eighth- and fourth-grade students were put into groups, where they worked together on separate letters and words. Humphreys said the classes worked well together, with older kids taking the lead and their younger peers helping to fill in the shapes, sometimes asking for help in tying knots.

“It’s come together really, really well with the eighth graders’ support,” Humphreys said, also thanking WMS Art Teacher Erin Almelien. “Everyone’s really found a place to settle in and do the work, so it’s been really fun to see that.”

The students hope their messages, now covering the eastern edge of the school property, will positively shape the mentality of those who read them.

“Our goal is just, for this project, to hope students think about being more kind, more positive, more inclusive,” Humphreys said. “That’s the main goal of this project.”

"Be Kind" reads one part of the design now woven into Lincoln's fence, near the school's playground. Art classes worked together to install positive messages along the edge of the school yard last week, during bullying prevention month. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
"Be Kind" reads one part of the design now woven into Lincoln's fence, near the school's playground. Art classes worked together to install positive messages along the edge of the schoolyard last week, during bullying prevention month. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com

Article Tags Washington County, Iowa, Washington, Iowa, Washington Community School District, Washington Middle School
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