Students roar for new murals, play equipment

LIONS AT PLAY-Students at White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village were treated to several new murals on their first day back at school. The art resurrected an older version of the school's lion mascot on handball courts and in the lunch area. They were painted during the summer by artist David Legaspi, left. Students at White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village roared like their lion mascot at their first day of school assembly last week to celebrate new murals and playground equipment, including a rock-climbing wall and additional swing sets.

Murals have been painted on the handball court and a multipaneled lunch area wall. Principal Abbey Irshay conducted a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

Artist David Legaspi painted the murals freehand during the summer. He said the original lion mascot depicted from the first Parent Faculty Club handbook was revived for the murals. Lions are portrayed resting and playing, and Legaspi said the murals show both diversity and animation.

According to Melinda Miller, the school's PFC president, the murals cost $6,500 and the playground equipment $15,000. She said some of the money for the play equipment may be reimbursed by the district office from one-time funds from the state.

Money raised at the school generally funds salaries for specialists including art, music and physical education teachers. The PFC also pays for the librarian.

"We made more money than we needed for specialist salaries," Miller said of the club's ability to pay for the murals and playground equipment. The PFC also provides teachers with $35-per-child funding for special projects.

The PFC's annual budget is around $170,000, Miller said. Fundraising at the school comes from two events-a direct donation drive and a spring dinner dance. At the beginning of each year, the PFC requests $300 for each child. Miller said about half of the parents participate.

Legaspi, who has painted many school murals in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, Malibu Unified School District and other local schools, will auction off his artistic talent during the spring event. Miller said families may bid on a personalized mural for their home.

"It's a privilege to get to work in the Las Virgenes Unified School District," Legaspi said.