 Kids at Wilshire Park Elementary have a new garden and "Council" area, thanks to Gene Benda, Pricipal Enrique Franco, neighbor Amos Dyson of Ingraham, and the parents and friends of Wilshire Park Elementary School. The Council area is a work of art - an elegant dome-shaped structure with a ring of bamboo log benches for the students to use for "council", a meeting where all voices are heard and nobody is the leader. Speaking tokens are placed in the center of the circle, and anyone in the Council is allowed to pick up the token, which symbolizes that they have the floor. Council sessions foster respect, free self-expression and community participation among the students. Several LAUSD schools are beginning to have Council sessions, and Wilshire Park is among the first. Materials for the Council dome are bamboo and reclaimed fallen timber from Santa Barbara.  Another under-utilized section of the play yard was turned into a garden with a shade area, plants and seating. Polished bamboo screens make the atmosphere both intimate and open. Above is Gene Benda of WIlshire Park Elementary, setting up the PA for the ribbon cutting ceremony.  Beautifully dressed and artfully crafted bamboo screen.  Amos Dyson, teacher at Hoover Street Elementary, lives right across Ingraham from the WPES, and devoted many weekends creating the garden and Council area.  Principal Enrique Franco, conducting the dedication and ribbon cutting in the new garden. Congratulations to all who participated in the creation of this imaginative project. Wilshire Park Elementary Students, enjoy! |