Agenda Item
iii. Hawthorne Elementary School Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) Mural Grant Approval ~ Updated 6.6.2025
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County School Board of Education approve Hawthorne Elementary School’s awarded Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) mural grant ($7,600 awarded from GCA with a matching $7,600 provided by the Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation, totaling $15,200.
Why: The “Brushes & Beyond: A Mural Journey for Young Minds” program aims to introduce students to the mural arts, artistic process, and the arts as a profession. Through the development of a theme for the mural, students will be introduced to how culture and community play an integral role in theme development. The process has the added benefit of community building.
Details: Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation was awarded a $7,600 50/50 matching grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts on July 1, 2024, to complete a student- and community-led mural project by June 30, 2025 (potentially extended to August 30, pending DeKalb County School Board approval in June 2025).
Project Highlights:
Artist Involvement: Local muralist Aysha Pennerman led a schoolwide “What is Mural Art” series during Career Day in March 2025 and facilitated five classroom sessions to introduce mural design, cultural themes, and art as a profession.
Student Workshops: Students generated ideas during regular art classes, focused on celebrating Hawthorne’s diverse student body.
Mural Design: Ms. Pennerman will create a design based on student input, to be approved by school leadership and the Foundation.
Community Painting Days: Using a paint-by-numbers approach, students (especially grades 4-5), families, and community members will help paint the mural.
Mural Reveal: The project will culminate in a community celebration to unveil the finished work.
Timeline: February-August 2025
Location: Hawthorne Elementary School (site TBD in coordination with DeKalb Schools)
Participants: All 315 students, faculty, families, and the broader community.
Financial impact: Georgia Council for the Arts will provide the $7,600 matching grant.
Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation will provide the matching $7,600.
Contact: Ms. Kia Henley, Hawthorne Elementary School Principal, 678-874-2802
Ms. Lauren Anderson, Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation President, 404-791-7189
Ms. Deanna Murphy, Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation Board Member, 404-447-6513
Effective: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
DATE RECEIVED: ______________
MATTER ASSIGNED TO: _________
Request for Legal Assistance
DCSD Office of Legal Affairs
ATTORNEY – CLIENT COMMUNICATION
PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED REQUEST FORM TO
DCSD OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS.
*** This request is a confidential communication and should be treated as such ***
DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST
Title of Item/Topic:
Hawthorne ES Parent Teacher Organization Donation
________________________________________________________________
(e.g., contract review, policy matter, etc.)
6/5/25
Date of request: ___________ 6/9/25 (Allow 3 to 5 business days)
Due Date: ___________
donation to design and construction services for the
Background information/Detail: __________________________________________________________
installation of an outdoor classroom at the existing playground of Hawthorne Elementary School.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PROCUREMENT DETAILS (if applicable)
Include details confirming that all applicable DCSD procurement policies and requirements have been
adhered to: ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please attach/include any additional supporting documentation that are relevant to your request.
Statement of Donated Funds. Chronology of the Agenda Items
Description of supporting documentation, if any ____________________________________________
REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION
Myra Stewart
Requested by: _____________________________________________________________________
myra_s_stewart@dekalbschoolsga.org
Email: __________________________ 678-676-0218
Telephone: ____________________________________
Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Department: _______________________________________________________________________
Dr. Yolanda Williamson
Cabinet Member authorizing the request: _______________________________________________
LEGAL APPROVAL
Approved as to form by the DCSD Office of Legal Affairs? ☐ Yes ☐ No
-OR- (check one only)
Approved as to form by Outside Legal Counsel? ☐ Yes ☐ No
*Referrals to Outside Legal Counsel must be coordinated and approved by the DCSD Legal Dept.
Approving Attorney (and law firm if Outside Counsel ____________________________________
Comments: __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________