In partnership with Roland DGA, VIVAS Inc., Lane Displays, Inc.,
and Bay Area Community Resources, Sherman Elementary redesigned the
three-level entry stairwell to immerse students in an interactive
world of imagination
IRVINE,
Calif., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a
project aimed to promote inclusivity through innovative
interior design, the central three-story stairwell of Sherman
Elementary School, a nearly-100-year old SFUSD K-5 located in
San Francisco's Cow Hollow-Marina
district, has been transformed into a dynamic space for students of
all backgrounds and learning styles. Sherman has long been
recognized for its commitment to academic excellence,
social-emotional growth, and equitable access for its diverse
community of learners. To create an environment truly
representative of this mission, Roland DGA – a leading provider of
large-format digital imaging technology – worked with local
neurodiverse specialists and educators to combine sensory and
educational design components, enabling the project to strike the
right balance between youthful creativity and functionality.
"The transformation of this central area of
our school complements our vision and mission around fostering an
inclusive space for each and every student." – Helen Parker Leigh, Principal - Sherman Elementary
More than a Mural: Interactive for Inclusivity
School spirit and inclusivity runs deep at Sherman which is why
the students had a direct say in the themes of their new stairwell.
The journey begins deep under the sea, inspired by the school's
beloved mascot: The Sherman Shark! We see the shark passing by a
variety of fish and a welcome greeting in six different languages,
all languages spoken by children at Sherman. As you make your way
to the surface, you'll be able to interact with school expectations
and values (Be Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Respectful, and Kind -
Be a SHARK!) and start to recognize sights familiar to the Bay Area
in honor of the school's roots. You might even catch a glimpse of
hot air balloons floating past math facts, as they climb the floors
of the school. A rocketship taking off in the corner gives you a
hint of the theme of the top floor where the oldest kids enter
outer space. That's where the children will learn about the
planets, engage with a maze to get to the moon, and even say hi to
the Sherman Shark who's going for a space walk!
"The transformation of this central area of our school
complements our vision and mission around fostering an inclusive
space for each and every student," said Sherman Elementary
Principal Helen Parker Leigh. "We
hope it will have an incredibly positive long-term impact on our
students as they interact with all the elements that have been
thoughtfully added. I imagine our children growing with the space.
As Kindergartners they will only manage to touch the kelp of the
'ocean floor', and count the crabs and numbers they see. By the
time they are fifth graders, they will be able to reach for the
stars on the top floor and interact with all the exciting 3D
elements. The social-emotional tools that are showcased on the
mural will stay with them for life. Our faculty is incredibly
excited about this new chapter for this historic building, and we
hope our families will enjoy seeing their children engage with its
fun and beautiful components during their years at our school. It's
stunning! We are looking forward to finding all the ways we can use
it to teach and reinforce our academic and social-emotional
curricula."
The Materials Behind the Magic
The mixed media installation spans 2,900 square feet and
includes unique, digitally printed graphics and 3D elements for
children to discover – all inspired by the students' ideas,
produced on Roland DG printers, and installed over seven days by
VIVAS Inc. and Lane Displays. Some of the standout features
include:
- Sensory elements: 3D textured details, interactive tactile
components, activity panels and bubble walls – all featuring
artwork inspired by Sherman's students – offer a soothing break.
The 3D and textured elements were produced using Roland DG's
advanced UV flatbed printers and DIMENSE textural printers, while
the rich, colorful wallcoverings were printed on a TrueVIS AP-640
resin/latex printer with vinyl and overlaminate provided by
Avery Dennison.
- Math and language memorization: Extending learning outside
traditional settings, the design merges math and foreign language
components onto hallway surfaces, fine-tuning math problems
according to specific age categories.
- School values and mascot integration: Serving as Sherman
Elementary's emblem, the shark not only represents the school
mascot but also embodies the acronym that defines the student
ethos: Safety, Helpfulness, Accountability, Respect, and Kindness.
This ethos has been the guiding light shaping our designs across
the board.
"As a small business owner based in the Bay area for over a
decade, this has truly been a passion project allowing me to give
back to the community that helped build my business," said
Luis Vivas, Chief Executive Officer
for VIVAS Inc. "Roland DG printers have always been foundational
equipment for my business, and to partner with them on a project of
this magnitude and importance has been incredibly rewarding. I
can't wait to see how the children react the first time they step
into the stairwell and are transported to three different
worlds."
As a provider of printers for VIVAS Inc., Roland DGA prides
itself on partnerships with small businesses across the country,
ensuring they have the innovative technology needed to craft
high-quality, visually stunning graphics that inspire their
communities.
"One of my favorite things about being at Roland DGA is getting
to see the creativity of our users with our technology, and the
impact it makes for their customers. It's an honor to be a part of
inspiring that same creativity in the minds of children through
this project," said Dan Wilson, Vice
President of Marketing and Customer Development at Roland DGA.
"We're especially proud of the 3D textures and dimensional elements
our technology makes possible, which transform the walls into more
than just a surface, and helps the students feel at ease and more
connected to their school."
To see the finished stairwell, behind the scenes of the
installation as well as hear from educators, the installation team,
and the children themselves, watch the video here.
About Sherman Elementary
Sherman Elementary School, an SFUSD public school, was
established in 1892 in the Cow Hollow/Marina district of San Francisco. The current building was
completed in 1926. The school serves 300
K- 5 students of diverse cultures, languages, races,
socioeconomic status, strenghths, and needs. The school motto is,
"Once a Sherman SHARK, always a Sherman SHARK!", fostering a strong
sense of belonging, identity, and inclusivity. Learn more about
Sherman Elementary at:
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/sherman-elementary-school
About Roland DGA Corporation
Roland DGA Corporation serves North and South America as the marketing, sales,
distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in
1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of
Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide
leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel,
textile, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers
for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for
direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for
the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and
medical industries.
Media Contact
Marc Malkin, Roland DGA
Corporation, 800-542-2307, mmalkin@rolanddga.com,
https://www.rolanddga.com
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SOURCE Roland DGA Corporation