Waller Road Elementary Gets a Makeover
Waller Road Elementary Gets a Makeover
Posted on 04/20/2022
Students at Waller Road Elementary were surprised to find some changes to their school and classrooms when they returned from spring break on April 18.
While they were away, the school received a “Community Makeover” funded by the non-profit Peace Out organization. The classrooms received items like new rugs, furniture, shelving, painted bulletin boards, newly organized stations, and lots of bright colors.
Upon entering the school students noticed bright new artwork and writings in the hallways and main spaces of the school in the Lushootseed language of the Puyallup Tribe. The lockers were painted with inspiring words in Lushootseed along with the English translation.
At the request of Waller Road Principal John Huson, the Peace Out organization worked with the Puyallup Tribe to visually add the artwork and Lushootseed language to the school. Waller Road is the only PSD school located on the Puyallup Tribe Reservation. “Most of the families live within the Puyallup Tribe reservation boundaries,” said Huson. “We want the language and culture to be present in our school. We work to create a welcoming environment where all students' cultures are visible and celebrated."
The front office, counselor, psychologist, and nurses’ office all received makeovers. The staff room had not been used recently due to COVID and is now a pleasant, quiet place to gather. The front office is bright and welcoming with decorative contact paper, new pictures, and plants.
The baseball field on the playground is also being renovated as part of the transformation.
Huson said the project was in the planning stages for a few months and teachers provided input and requests for items and changes in their classrooms. The district operations department approved the updates in advance.
On Saturday, April 16, a reveal was held for the school’s staff and Peace Out volunteers who transformed the school and classrooms attended.
This Peace Out organization has completed eight makeovers, including three schools.
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