An upcoming Parent Teacher Association meeting announcement was the first message posted on a new reader board in front of Adams Elementary and tiles placed on the base show off the creative side of the school's children.

The tiles feature the theme "Outdoors in the Northwest, " with marine life, mountain scenes, grizzly bears, alligators, butterflies, a cat reading a book and other animals.

The sign is just the first step in making long range improvements to the school grounds, thanks to a group of parents.

Plans are now underway to add some creative elements to the school yard that reflect Adams Elementary's arts rich curriculum. A public meeting on next week (Oct. 18, 7 p.m.) has been scheduled to discuss plans for the playground. Neighbors, students and parents are encouraged to attend.

In 2005, the King County Arts Commission recognized Adams Elementary with a special award for integrating arts into the classroom. Art is used to help teach math, music, drama and other program areas. Artists-in-Residence are brought in to work with the children.

"We had an idea for a reader board, the school did not have one. It's a new piece of art. It's more elaborate than I expected," said parent and Project Manager Alison Krupnick.

Students did the design work and glazed the tiles. Parents helped to glue them in place.

Funding came from a $15,000 Department of Neighborhoods Small and Simple Grant with over $30,000 in in-kind volunteer hours, that doubled the grant's requirement. Several parents are landscape architects who have been donating their expertise to the school.

The parent group includes Krupnick, landscape architects Guy Michaelson and Mark Brands, artist Diane Aistrope and others.

With the sign project done, this group of parents is turning their attention to the playground. Last year the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) purchased colorful benches painted in primary colors.

"They get a lot of use," said Krupnick. Before the benches were installed, students had nothing to sit on.

Michaelson said playground improvements will feature the arts curriculum being learned inside the building by bringing it outside.

Some of the ideas include: upgrading the play structure; kid-friendly green space; bike shelters and racks; watershed preservation; an organic garden; and an artistic iron work to cover the windows. A longer range project could be a covered play area for rainy days.

"We want to make the outside reflect the creative environment," said Krupnick.

During the Oct. 18 meeting, Michaelson and Brands will show their design proposals. They want feedback from students, parents and community groups. A final design will be presented in January.

The goal is to bring the school's curriculum to life outside the building and the playground will be available for use by nearby residents.

"It is a school eight hours a day, ten months a year. When school is out, it is a park. How can we serve the broader community as well. Neighbors are glad to see public art," said Michaelson.

The group will be applying for more grants to pay for the project and will seek donations from local merchants.

"We are very proud of the school and want everyone in the community to be proud of it with us. We invite Ballard businesses to get involved in the community project," said Krupnick.