SIGN OF THE TIMES AT AQUEBOGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(January 29, 2010 – Riverhead, NY) “The Aquebogue Elementary School is known for its nationally-recognized art program,” notes Aquebogue Principal Phil Kent. "The PolyBear polar bear project (three full-size polar bears made with white plastic bags) received national recognition, as did the prior year's Bottlebug project (a huge caterpillar made out of large recycled detergent bottles).  The Bottlebug project was featured on the coveted cover of the children's magazine, Scholastic News. The Scholastic News also displayed pictures of the PolyBear project in their April/Earth Day issue. The current undertaking by Aquebogue art teacher Maureen Ahern is to replace the sign that stands outside the main entrance to the Aquebogue Elementary School."  

“The previous sign was created by Aquebogue students about 8 or 9 years ago and is in need of repair,” notes Ms. Ahern. “I thought it would be a good idea for the students to create their own school sign since Aquebogue is their school. This project is also a good T.E.A.M. ('Together Everyone Achieves More') effort and will help the students develop more pride in their school.”

The Aquebogue PTO funded this project.  All third and fourth grade classes were involved in the planning and production of the new sign, which utilizes hundreds of small ceramic tiles with a vine and flower theme that, according to Ms. Ahern, reflects the “growth that students undergo during their early years of life.”  The students created the drawings for the design and laid the tiles. Ms. Ahern, with Julie Tesser, a ceramic artist from Brooklyn, NY, and Marta Baumiller, a local artist, assisted in the completion of this endeavor.  Ms. Tesser showed the students her art and helped them understand and appreciate that they, too, could become professional artists. In the process, the students also learned about the art of mosaic. 

The result is a beautifully artistic, colorful, and unique sign that will last for years. It is also a wonderful achievement that greets school visitors, who, once they come inside the door, step directly into a gallery of colorful student artwork.

“The Aquebogue Elementary School is very proud of Mrs. Ahern and her student artists,” states Aquebogue Principal Phil Kent. “With the help of the PTO and area artists, they have created a sign of which our school, our students, and our community can be very proud.”

Photo: Students from Stacey Butterfield's class work on the new sign.