Ilalko Elementary School will dedicate a new playground mural that encourages safe and positive play during a fall open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m., next Thursday, Sept. 23.

The new mural is a 20-foot circle, separated by 10 sections, painted directly onto the outside play area of Ilalko Elementary School. Referred to as “Kelso’s Wheel,” the circular mural encourages students to try two positive choices before asking for adult assistance during play. This preventative approach provides students with a conflict resolution tool that empowers them to become accountable for their own choices. Ilalko and other elementary schools in Auburn use the Kelso’s Choice curriculum to teach children about conflict management.

Three volunteers—Tamsin Foster, Anita Tyson and Lynne Stephens—and Ilalko Language Arts Specialist Connie Martin volunteered multiple summer days to design and paint the mural. Each of the 10 sections represents a choice that students can choose when dealing with conflicts on the playground such as, “Make a Deal,” “Ignore,” “Play Another Game” and more.

During the painting of Kelso’s Wheel, volunteers Zachery Burchfield, Beth and Michael Harris, and Vinnette Lang helped repaint other areas of the playground including the U.S. playground mural and court lines for foursquare and basketball.