Mrs. Mullahey finished up New England as her husband tackled Michigan during the Election Day map painting. Hemlock Primary School Principal Audrey Bellovin had a big idea last year - a VERY BIG idea. “When the district enlarged the playground at Hemlock, I saw this space as a great canvas for learning,” commented Ms. Bellovin. Working with then PTA Director at Hemlock, Margo Padala, who spearheaded the funding for the 60-foot map of the United States stencil, and with current PTA Hemlock Director, Kathy Martinus, who organized the painting event, Principal Bellovin’s vision became a reality on Election Day, 2009.

With paints and brushes donated by Aboff’s of West Hempstead and Hemlock parents, the map-painting artists assembled on the morning of November 3rd for the all-day event. The map design was first laid out in chalk using the U.S. template, states were labeled for color, and then the painting crew - Hemlock PTA, parents, students, and younger and older siblings - started in. Slowly and carefully, the hollow chalk outline began to come alive as blocks of vibrant color. By mid-afternoon, the giant map of the United States was complete.

This Hemlock alum took a moment to demonstrate how she helped to connect the chalk dots after the U.S. map stencil was lifted. Ms. Bellovin overheard one parent explaining the project to her child in this way: “Isn’t it exciting that what we are doing here today will be here for years to come?” and reflected that the explanation “really resonated with me.”

When it comes to teaching, the uses of Hemlock’s new map are limitless. “Our teachers are very excited about the possibilities and are already thinking of ways to use this in the curriculum.”

Practicing their chalk skills, these students assisted with the drawing of the 60-foot map on Hemlock’s playground. A special thank you to Aboff’s and all of the parents who joined together to make Principal Bellovin’s BIG idea a VERY BIG reality!

Painting Colorado took two adults and two children about fifteen minutes to complete - this is a BIG map!
A new teaching aid of the United States ready for use by Hemlock’s kindergarten and first graders, map artists stand proud with their work at the end of the day.