Through Crossroads Mason Church and the Greater Project Go Day of service, more than 50 volunteers – including school staff — came through with flying colors to help with projects at Middletown Elementary on May 17.
“The volunteers painted our hallway to be a calmer, brighter space for our scholars. They also added a sensory space to our school garden and laid mulch to spruce up our garden that we work on with Sprouting Minds,” says Principal Kristen McClanahan-Parkes. “It was beautiful watching people of all ages come together and invest in our space.”
In addition to painting the main K-2 hallway with a fresh coat of white paint and green accent stripe, the volunteers added raised beds with lamb’s ear, chives, basil, succulents and lavender. The garden is accented with wind chimes, creating a musical component, as well as an outdoor weaving section. McClanahan-Parkes
describes the sensory space as a long-awaited dream come true.
The volunteers also dedicated a garden and bench in memory of the school’s late custodian, Quinton Jackson, whom the school community affectionally named “Mr. Sunshine.” McClanahan-Parkes’ father donated a tree to grace the space.
“Since Sunshine has left us, my heart has been wanting the perfect way to honor him and share the impact he made on my family, my school and me. Having a memorial space to continue to share about the love and true sunshine he exuded was important to me,” says McClanahan-Parkes. “I hope that by sharing about Mr. Sunshine and the beautiful school community we have, people will go out into the world and be like Sunshine.”
In the fall, the school community plans to have a dedication ceremony for Sunshine’s Garden and make it a day of sunshine, bringing light and service to others, McClanahan-Parkes describes. She adds that the little river by Sunshine’s bench will be filled with rocks painted by students and sunflowers will bloom around it.