May 30, 2006 > Milani Tiles

As the students of Louis Milani Elementary School in Newark gathered together on Thursday, May 25, an air of anticipation grew. It was time to acknowledge the completion of the school's tile project, hand painted ceramic tiles displayed in five panels affixed to school walls. The quiet crowd of students, teachers and administrative personnel erupted into applause as a bright red ribbon was cut by Newark Unified School District Superintendent Dr. John Bernard, Student Body Vice President, Zack Wetzel and Treasurer Vanessa Luis. Dr. Bernard called it a "significant beginning" as students gazed at one of the tile walls near the entrance to the school.

Principal Susan Guerrero, who coordinated the project, expressed her pride in the accomplishment, noting that 599 tiles were painted by students, parents, teachers and many others - including the superintendent - to represent the "core values" of Milani: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Integrity, Compassion and Self Discipline. Spanning about a year and a half, from conception to completion, these tile masterpieces were completed with help of guest artist Nicole DeMeneses, a former Bunker School student and now volunteer animation teacher at Milani School.

Congratulations to Milani School!