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Students unveil Martin Kellogg "Kindness Tree" mural in student‑led project
Summary
Martin Kellogg Middle School students and art teacher Laura Deave presented a student‑created kindness tree mural sponsored by the PTO; presenters said the project generated about 140 student nominations and will be used as a visible, ongoing recognition system to encourage empathy and inclusion.
At the start of the meeting, Martin Kellogg Middle School teacher Jason Lambert and art teacher Laura Deave showcased a student‑led kindness tree mural created with PTO support and art‑club student involvement.
"When Mr. Lambert approached me to paint the kindness tree mural... I brought the idea to my art club students who suggested using the larger wall," art teacher Laura Deave said, describing a multi‑phase plan that included student nominations, hallway recognition and a collaborative mural painted largely by students.
Students who helped paint described spending weeks on the project and said the mural is already being noticed by peers on the way to lunch and assemblies. One student said: "When I was chosen for a kindness circle, I felt really happy because I wasn't trying to get a reward. I was trying to help a girl out."
Presenters told the board they have received about 140 nominations recording acts of kindness; the mural's leaves list nominated students and will be replenished monthly so new names can be added. Board members praised the visual impact and said the mural supports the district's social‑emotional goals and the portrait‑of‑a‑graduate priorities.
What’s next: The mural will remain in a high‑traffic hallway and the district plans to survey students about the mural’s effect on school climate at year‑end.
