Sixth-grader’s letter could lead to an art room at McKinley

A sixth-grade student at McKinley Elementary School could earn a $25,000 grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement to develop an art room at her school.

Risa Tinsley-Green’s letter describing the need for the art room at McKinley is one of 10 finalists for the grant offered through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program. Winners will also receive hands-on assistance from Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers in completing their projects.

Out of the thousands of letters submitted from individuals and classrooms across the country, Tinsley-Green’s letter was selected as one of the finalist now up for an oneline vote. Four of the 10 entries will receive a grant. Winners are based on the number of online votes received.

To vote, visit the web site at letterstolowes.com/#what-is-letters-to-lowes. Only one vote per IP address per day is allowed. Voting closes Friday.

Risa attended Mary Collins at Cherry Valley until this year when she moved to McKinley to be in the GATE program.

“She loves it,” her mother, Meg Tinsley, said of her daughter’s experience at McKinley. “We’re pretty excited about the letter and the chance for the grant. Writing is something Risa likes to do.”

Tinsley-Green’s letter was written as a classroom assignment for all students in Kymm Jaton’s English class.

McKinley principal Matthew Harris said an art studio is “a fantatic idea. We have an art docent program, but sometimes art can get overlooked,” he explained. “To have an art studio would be phenomenal.”

He noted that while the art studio idea originated from an assignment in a GATE class, it would be used by all students at McKinley.

Risa’s letter

Dear Lowe’s,

My name is Risa and I am in 6th grade at McKinley Elementary, in Petaluma, CA. I transferred to this school this year, and have mostly enjoyed my experience compared to my old school. There are only a few things that my old school had, that McKinley doesn’t. One of those things is an art room. My old school had an awesome art room, with a kiln and lots of art supplies. I enjoyed this resource very much, and was sad to hear that I wouldn’t be exposed to the same kind of learning experience that I was lucky to have in the past couple years. I definitely think we should have an art room at McKinley. This would open up the possibility of an art club, weekly art lessons for each class, and/or after school art enrichment classes. I think it would benefit my school very much, because it is important to expose students to different kinds of learning. A good art education via a thriving art room would be an excellent way for students to enjoy school, and learn something new. Art is an amazing thing that I want myself and my peers to have access to.

Luckily, our school has more than enough room for this amazing feature. We have several unoccupied rooms that would be perfect for an art room. The particular room I have in mind, is currently being used for storage that could easily be moved into another empty classroom. Or of course one of the other classrooms could be the art room in the first place. I know our staff has been trying to create ways to use all these empty classrooms, and I think this would be a wonderful way to put them into motion.

Honestly, our school isn’t the richest. We have a dying garden, cracked blacktop, torn P.E. equipment, and depressing halls. Walking through our campus as an outsider is a surprising experience. You feel like you are in an abandoned military academy, except for the chipped red playground equipment. Despite this, if you look a little closer, you will notice the hardworking students, interesting friendships, and devoted teachers. I think a strong and healthy art program would bring some brightness to our campus and our students. With a successful art room, we could paint murals, and brighten up the campus in many different ways!

Of course, to have a successful art program we would need supplies and furniture. These would include a kiln, tables, and the appropriate furniture. I really think that having this opportunity for students who maybe haven’t had much, or any art exposure before, would help students connect with their creative side. This is a very important component in a childhood.

I hope you realize how important creativity is, especially at our run down school. 25,000 dollars would be amazing for our students to expand their education.

Your Hopeful Friend,

Risa

6th grade