When Armatage Montessori students return to class in the fall, they'll have a large, friendly-looking kangaroo greeting them at the front door.

A tile-and-grout kangaroo, that is. A mosaic of Foster, the school's mascott, is one of two new art installations, unveiled just before the end of the school year, that will grace the school's enterance.

The artist behind the two pieces, Hallie Bowman, had worked with the school before, creating a peace-themed mosaic with fourth and fifth graders last school year. This year, she also helped students design and assemble a mosaic made of recycled plastic bottle caps.

Bowman said the second mosaic, of plants growing in a garden, was inspired by Armatage parent Sarah Linnes-Robinson, and research showing that hanging pictures of vegetables in lunchrooms greatly increases students' vegetable consumption during lunchtime.

Bowman has also worked with Burroughs, Carondelet, and Judson Preschool students.