Peace Garden - honoring Colleen

SHE TOUCHED SO MANY - LET'S CONTINUE HER LEGACY OF KINDNESS AND COMPASSION BY CREATING A PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF TO REFLECT AND GROW. 

Colleen Shirley was a beloved teacher at King Middle School in Oceanside, CA, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in April 2016.  In her last days, I asked her how she wanted to be remembered.  She said that she would love a place for students and staff to be able to reflect and be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds us - a Peace Garden.  

Located in the central commons of our school, the Peace Garden will serve as a place of beauty and reflection, surrounding visitors with flowers, smells, and visuals of nature.  The Peace Garden will include a seating area, mural painting, along with a memorial wall, honoring other members of our King family who have past.  

We are fortunate that a local church, North Coast, has adopted our project as part of their Weekend of Service in April 2017, donating all the labor.  The money raised here will go to purchase the materials, like fencing, cement work, landscape and art materials to make Colleen's dream come true.  

Every donation will help.  The Peace Garden will be maintained by several student leadership groups whose purpose it to bring gratitude and appreciation to the forefront of our students' minds each and every day.  

So many of us were touched by Colleen's love of learning, kindness, and nature.  She influenced thousands of students and community members with her zest for life and her passion for making learning fun for all.  Thank you for your donation.