🌿 Serve Day 2025 – Glen Iris Elementary School Garden Beautification & Sensory Gazebo Space Setup 🌼 Project Vision The goal of this Serve Day project is to transform the front garden bed and gazebo area into a calm, sensory-friendly, and spiritually uplifting outdoor space for students and staff. It will serve as a peaceful retreat for: Small group discussions Outdoor reading Quiet reflection Sensory breaks Prayer and devotion 🏡 Garden Beautification Tasks Pull weeds and remove old mulch Trim overgrown bushes or hedges Install fresh mulch or pine straw Plant low-maintenance flowers or shrubs (butterfly-friendly if possible) Add garden signage with positive or faith-based messages Repaint garden border edges or posts if applicable Clean and sweep the area for walkability 🛠️ Gazebo & Sensory Space Setup Paint gazebo exterior (weather-resistant paint) Repair any minor wood damage Add sensory seating or soft mats (outdoor safe) Place wind chimes, potted plants, or hanging planters Add a sensory board or fidget table (for student self-regulation) Install laminated Scripture or affirmation cards Use calming lighting: solar lights, fairy lights, or LED candles Provide a small prayer bench or cushion area for stillness Include weather-safe storage box for student or teacher items 🌱 Requested Donations or Items Mulch or pine straw Gardening gloves, rakes, trimmers Annual flowers (marigolds, petunias, zinnias) or perennial shrubs Planters (standing or hanging) Outdoor cushions or soft seating Wind chimes, pinwheels, garden stakes Solar or LED lighting Bible verse yard signs or garden stakes Paint and brushes for gazebo Sensory board materials (Velcro, textures, stress toys, etc.) 👷 Volunteer Needs Adult and family-friendly task groups Gardening tools and helpers Painting volunteers (for gazebo structure) Creativity for decorating with calming, faith-filled touches Youth and adult leaders to lead setup stations 🧭 Leadership & Guidelines All work will be done in alignment with school leadership and Serve Day project goals. Sub-leader for this project will help guide final layout, garden selection, and sensory space setup.