Cox volunteers teamed up with Operation Clean Slate to gift students at Philip J. Reilly Elementary School a STEAM mural.
Members of the student body volunteer locally at the annual Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley’s Operation Holiday Homework event. The event is a celebration of students from the club who are committed to completing their homework every day. As a result, students attend a shopping event sponsored by Cox and can pick out gifts for family members.
Philip J. Reilly students step in alongside Cox volunteers to support students from different schools at Operation Holiday Homework. In past years, Philip J. Reilly students have wrapped gifts and have encouraged their peers to pay it forward by writing cards to active-duty military.
This mural acknowledges the commitment to volunteerism showcased by students at Philip Reilly Elementary while promoting academic success and careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
BACKGROUND:
Named for one of the co-founders of the Mission Viejo Company, Philip J. Reilly opened in 1990. Nestled in a small neighborhood community, Reilly prides itself on its active parent group and tight-knit family atmosphere. Reilly is both a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School serving approximately 500 students in the heart of Mission Viejo. The school is unique in that it was constructed as the first joint venture project between a school district, Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD), and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE). The school provides an integrated facility where ALL students have meaningful opportunities to interact with one another. In February 2019, Cox Communications partnered with Operation Clean Slate to award schools with STEAM murals through a $12,000 grant.
Operation Clean Slate was founded in 1993 by Michael Howard as a solution to the multi-million-dollar graffiti vandalism issue. The program was formulated around the principle that when youth are involved in hands-on activities that channel their talents, they help to improve their community and environment. To date, Operation Clean Slate has partnered with over 25,000 volunteers and produced over 800 murals at 400 schools throughout Southern California.
“Thank you Cox Communications and Operation Clean Slate for the opportunity to paint this beautiful mural. Our STEAM mural will be a constant reminder of the importance of giving back to our community. Our staff is committed to promote strong character that will provide our students the foundation to thrive in their STEAM career pathways,” Sharla Pitzen, Principal, Philip Reilly Elementary School
Photo Credits: Cox Communications and Operation Clean Slate
