ABOVE: The concept design for the United States map mural to be painted on the concrete area of the playground at Truman Public Schools. Submitted photo

TRUMAN — Truman Public Schools (TPS) will increase in vibrancy, thanks to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF)’s Paint the Town Grant Program. The program awarded TPS 100-gallons of paint, totaling approximately $5,000, which was supplied by Ace Hardware stores. The paint will be used for different projects on school grounds, with the help of Truman Pride and Community Education and Recreation.

“We are very happy that [SMIF] liked our proposal to enhance our campus with paint that will be educational,” said Truman Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Shellum. “This grant gives us an opportunity for our campus to expand indoor activities to the outside as well as enhance educational experiences.”

The projects include a United States map on the playground’s concrete area, a pickleball court on the north parking lot, sidewalk activities and games, a Jaguar on the outdoor area, and allowing seniors to paint their parking lot if they don’t drive for their senior year, according to Shellum.

She explained that TPS saw an opportunity to expand outdoor activities for the school in conjunction with the grant, which prompted the school to apply for it in the spring. After applications were collected on March 31, the Paint the Town grant recipients were announced on April 28. TPS was among 13 Minnesota locations in total that met the criteria of having a population of less than 10,000 people, being within SMIF’s 20-county region, being a privately-owned building and other qualifications.

Among fellow recipients, TPS received the largest grant and the biggest possible paint quantity from the Paint the Town program this year.

With the program, SMIF aims to enrich communities through creativity, visual appeal and inclusion.

Shellum added that she believes the painted features will benefit the students of TPS both academically and socially, ultimately improving the school and its environment.

“By having a life-size United States map on the playground, the students will be able to learn the states and capitals not only by memorization, but by playing games and visualizing the names and locations daily. The students will have access to games to play outside for physical education as well as at noon. These are painted on the sidewalks, the parking lot and by the playground for access at all times,” she said.

TPS, CER, and Truman Pride are to begin painting this summer. The projects are expected to be completed from Sept. to Oct. 1, according to Shellum.

“We all look forward to having the project completed,” said Shellum.