The Cupertino Courier

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Nimitz School marks a milestone event

By Erin Hussey

When Tracy Burriss, a parent and part-time reading teacher at Nimitz Elementary School, heard the school was about to celebrate its 50th anniversary, she knew exactly how to commemorate the occasion.

"I wanted a process where everyone was involved, everyone made something and everyone put something into it," says Burriss.

The project: a 37-foot-long by 6-foot- high ocean scene mosaic complete with a giant octopus, metal anchor, jumping dolphin and various sea creatures.

"The school is named after Adm. Chester William Nimitz, so that's why I went with the ocean theme," says Burriss.

"There is also so much variety in the ocean that it allows every child to make a unique creation that alone is a piece of artwork, but when put into the whole picture is even greater."

Last fall, Burriss teamed up with the school's art teacher, Angela Hansen, to get the project started.

Each class made different sea creatures out of clay, from bottom dwellers such as starfish and anemones and free swimmers such as fish, seahorses and jellyfish, to surfacing animals such as turtles.

"The fun thing about the project was that once you helped the kids with the basic shape, you could let them do all sorts of different textures," says Hansen, who adds that she has never done such a large art project before.

The students also helped make larger fish that displayed the names of donors who contributed $50 or more toward the school's library fund.

After each piece was fired in a kiln, Hansen then helped the students glaze their creations with a spectrum of bright colors. The pieces were then refired for a glass-like sheen.

"When I laid out all of the finished pieces, I went, 'Wow,' " says Burriss, who drew the design outline on an outside wall of the school's Guided Learning Center and started putting the tiles on May 14 with the help of teachers, students and parents.

"It really brought people together," says Burriss. "Every day people come up and say 'Look at it now.' The kids are so proud of it."

The Clay and Arts Foundation provided grant money to fund the project and Bullnose Tile of San Jose donated the tiles.

The mosaic was completed May 22, with the exception of the dark-blue grout that will fill in the small crevices.

"It is really impressive," says Dale Jones, Nimitz's principal. "I had a little hand in it, as did everyone here, including all 580 students."

Jones estimates more than 700 people worked on the mosaic.

"It's been a great community builder," says Stephanie McCarthy, a fourth-grade teacher.

"It really promotes acceptance and that's one thing I think that is hurting in the world today. If we can educate children about different cultures, languages and religions, they can maybe grow up in a more peaceful world."

A ribbon-cutting celebration, open to the community, will take place on June 7 at 10:10 a.m. at Nimitz School, 545 E. Cheyenne Dr., Sunnyvale. Cupertino Mayor Kris Wang and Sunnyvale city officials will attend. For more information call at 408.736.2180.