Foundation helps paint school gym

Thanks in part to a grant from The Roundhouse Foundation the Sisters Elementary School gymnasium received a fresh coat of paint over the holiday break.

In October, The Roundhouse Foundation trustees worked with both Becky Stoughton, the principal at Sisters Elementary School, and Leland Bliss, director of operations for the Sisters School District, to support some projects at the school. It is important to the Foundation to leverage each grant made so those grants make a larger impact on the community as a whole.

"Think of it as the ripple effect," said trustee Kathy Deggendorfer. "Funding some key improvements at the school will help to enhance the learning environment for students, which will improve school pride, which makes the community stronger."

The gymnasium-painting project has been on the facilities list for quite some time - it just hadn't been a priority. With a grant of $15,000 The Roundhouse Foundation was able to fund the painting of the gym over the break as well as a few other projects slated to be finished throughout the school year. The grant will also fund painting "The Loft," a meeting room above the gymnasium used by teachers, staff and parents; adding a fresh coat of paint on the bathroom doors throughout the school; the installation of two new water fountains with the ability to fill water bottles; and a new sink for the art room.

The gymnasium was a big job - working through the District office beginning in November, the job went out to bid. Tim Wonderly Painting Co., a local Sisters business, got the job. The old pale blue and white walls were covered with a soft cream with brown trim to mimic the high desert colors of the Sisters community. The darker color on the bottom will help to protect the wall from shoes, balls and other gym-related hazards.

"What a great way to start the new year," says Becky Stoughton. "People have already been down to the gym to check it out. The commons is too small for our all-school assemblies anymore; a new gym with fresh colors allows our students and staff to show off their school with pride. "

The Roundhouse Foundation is a Sisters-based private foundation. The Foundation's goals are to fund collaborative, community projects that celebrate the arts and heighten community awareness in areas including the arts, environment, social services, and community leadership. For more information visit www.RoundhouseFoundation.org.