LA MIRADA -- Volunteer community organizations and members joined together to provide Dulles Elementary School with a new outdoor reading space, furnished with freshly painted benches, a chair and a table, and three newly-planted trees.
 
Dulles Elementary partnered with the Love La Mirada Project, a coalition of community groups and businesses that beautify the community. When the project reached out to Principal Robin Padget about helping the school, she asked them to turn a grassy area into a spot that engages students and teachers.
 
“This was an amazing project that improved the campus environment where all students, teachers and staff could enjoy the space,” Padget said. “Thank you to our community supporters, staff and students who volunteered their time and teamed together to make this possible.”

Love La Mirada covered half the cost of the benches, chair and table, K Kids Club covered half the cost of one bench, and the PTA covered the remaining need. The Dulles Elementary School custodian helped built the benches and the District painters primed them before the service day. Dulles teachers and staff chose the paint colors and bought the paint.
 
“The outdoor reading space is a wonderful example of the generosity of our students, teachers, staff and community,” NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “Our students will learn about community involvement and how they can contribute to help our schools, even at a young age.”
 
Love La Mirada organization members and Dulles staff painted the benches, chair and table on April 30 as a community service project. On the back of the chair is a commemorative plaque recognizing Love La Mirada for its contributions to the project.
 
“Our students have the opportunity to have a new experience with activities and reading their favorite books in the outdoor area,” NLMUSD Board of Education President Karen Morrison said. “This will boost their love for reading. I’m happy that our teachers, staff and students can all share this space.”