Shollenberger Wetlands, a new mural at Valley Vista Elementary School, was funded by an Enrichment Grant from Petaluma Educational Foundation that enabled the school to purchase paints and other supplies that were used to bring the wildlife and landscape of Shollenberger Park to the Webster Street campus. Jenny and Andrew Christensen, Valley Vista parents and owners of Bici Sports, funded the mural through a generous donation from their family foundation to PEF

The main mural is prominently located in the front of school, but with a quick walk around campus visitors soon discover that many of the animals have broken frame, their familiar images popping up in all sorts of places. Each classroom participated by painting a native animal, families attended weekend workdays and technical advisers to the mural design team, docents from the Petaluma Wetlands Association, introduced the school’s student body to the local wildlife at a school-wide assembly.

Many parent and community volunteers were involved in this project; deepening the school’s partnership with the Petaluma Wetlands Association, encouraging students, teachers and families to be more connected through art and science and creating a work of art that the school is proud to share with the community. Best of all, every child at Valley Vista had the chance to lend a creative hand.

Stop by to see the mural for yourself at Valley Vista’s annual Garden Party, Saturday, May 5th from 10 am to noon. Mural unveiling takes place at 11.45. This event is open to the public.

PEF also funds Fourth Grade outdoor ed at the Shollenberger Wetlands park each year, with every Petaluma school invited to participate in a day of docent guided activities.