Creating a lasting memory

Fifth-graders at North Albany Elementary plan to leave their school with a lasting memory once they move on to a new building next year.

The students are using bits of tile to create a giant mosaic featuring all their favorite parts of Albany, from the clock tower near the train station to their own school mascot, an alligator. The work is celebrating Albany's 150 years as a city.

This is the second year of fifth-grader "legacy projects." Last year's work was a Dr. Seuss-themed mural on the door of the office belonging to Principal Tracy Day.

Parent volunteers started working with the fifth-graders this past October, helping them brainstorm ideas for the mosaic.

Parent Maki Geno sketched the ideas onto a large sheet of paper. Habitat for Humanity of Albany joined a Portland company in providing tile pieces for the students. Albany artist Ann Bose of Art World learning Center offered time, supplies and studio space for parents and students to come place the tiles. Parent Jim Walter, a contractor, is doing the framing and hanging for the finished piece.

Parent Chrissy Ludlow helped organize the work schedule and was on hand to help students clean off bits of cement and grout the completed mosaic.

The mosaic includes the North Albany Elementary School name and also the words summing up the school's three most important rules: be safe, be respectful, be responsible.

Gacelynn Wakefield, 11, said that's an important teaching tool. "So, like, when little kids come into our school, they could see the words and, like, know what the rules are."

Classmate Michael Cale, 11, said he's looking forward to showing the artwork to friends who come to the building after him. His favorite part: the hot air balloon made with orange, brick-red and sage-green tiles.

"I just like the colors," he said.

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Creating a lasting memory