| ARTS ACTIVE PARENT
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| Dear Alameda County Parents, Since the last newsletter, there have been a couple of pieces of news that have important implications for the arts programs in our schools. Last week, the findings were released for a December '07 telephone poll about voters' opinions about the importance of arts education. This survey polled a national cross-section of voters, and found that a bipartisan majority in every demographic group favors instruction in "imagination, innovation and creativity" as a preparation for life, not just for the workforce. Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners who conducted the survey, said she was "astounded" at the more than three-to-one support for this idea. Lake said, These are surprising results that indicate a strong set of shared public values are not being detected by public leaders. (Italics are mine.) Just a few days before these poll results were made public, Governor Schwarzenegger announced that a budget deficit will force a 10% reduction in California government spending for the upcoming fiscal year. This is for all state programs, including K-12 education. I immediately thought of the new Arts and Music Block Grant, due to be renewed for its third consecutive year in the upcoming budget. This provides about $18 per student for schools and districts to reinvigorate arts learning after decades of decline and neglect. Since it's relatively new and all new programs take some time to find the momentum it takes to achieve excellence, it may seem like a no-brainer to some that this budget line should be sacrificed. We Arts Active Parents must make our feelings known about the vital role we believe the arts play in the lives of all our children. It's time to write letters to your senator, your state assemblyperson, and the governor. If you have a particular story to relate about how the Arts and Music Block Grant has changed your school, tell it! We in the Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership are planning a letter-writing campaign about this issue. You'll receive an email about it soon, or check our website in a few days for an update. Send
a copy of your letter to your school board representative, district superintendent,
principal, city council representative, and mayor. (For a list of policymakers,
visit our website.) When you
invite your elected officials to your school this spring for a performance
or other event, speak from the heart about what you see as the values
of learning in and through the arts in terms of the health, intelligence,
and happiness of our kids and all the kids in California. Don't forget to vote on February 5. In Alameda County, two communities have school related issues on the ballot: Albany's Measure E is a facilities bond issue for a swimming pool and other facilities at Albany High; Oakland's Measure G is an extension of a parcel tax that raises over $20 million a year for city schools. Beyond that, look for candidates and issues you think will help us accomplish our shared vision of a quality education including the arts for every child, in every school, every day. Best
wishes and happy advocating! To
find out more about the issues discussed in this column, visit these websites:
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PARENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Part of the Paden Elementary's three-year-old integrated arts program, a series of evening workshops bring families to campus to create art together and extend the learning in and through the arts that is at the heart of the students' daytime experience. Parents in Alameda raise money for arts programs through their Circus for Arts in the School, and further support arts learning with their Parent Docent Program. Paden School's evening workshop gives them a chance to have hands-on guided artmaking activities together with their kids. Above and below, parents and kids work together.
PARENTS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Parent leaders from various schools, districts, and community organizations have come together twice this year to get to know each other, trade stories and ideas, and brainstorm about how we might increase our power by speaking with a united voice. In this photo, Amana Harris of West Oakland's Attitudinal Healing Connection leads a printmaking project at the latest meeting, which was hosted by Lincoln Square Rec Center in Oakland Chinatown. If you would like to attend or host such a gathering, please send an email to artsactiveparent@yahoo.com.
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MARCH
IS NATIONAL ARTS EDUCATION MONTH! To see free downloadable tools that help you plan and publicize the event, please visit www.artiseducation.org/artised/promote.html. There are lots of helpful materials for planning and making student learning visible at www.artiseducation.org/artised/present.html. Arts
Education in Public Schools Resource Center |
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| Free and Inexpensive Things to Do With Your Kids in February (And Early March) This is just a short list, but there are many, many more things going on this month. Check with your library, school, local non-profits, and take advantage of the many opportunities for activities in our wonderful and diverse community. If you have an elementary schooler, check out performances and events at your local middle school. If your child is in middle school, make sure you attend everything you can at the high school. Not only will this make the transition easier, seeing slightly older kids performing can be very inspirational for the younger ones! (For high school shows, you should expect to pay a ticket price similar to a movie. This is how many high schools fund their programs.) |
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Attend the FREE Public Performance of the 6th annual Oakland Schools
Jazz Festival. State Assemblymember Sandre Swanson will speak
briefly at the beginning of the show. Over 250 student performers from
10 public middle schools and high schools in Oakland play for and with
each other. Highly entertaining for all ages, everyone welcome! Visit
Habitot Children's Museum, a hands-on discovery museum for young children.
Its mission is to nurture and enrich the lives of young children, their
families, and the adults who care for them by providing an environment
for early childhood learning and exploration, parenting education and
community outreach. Visit the Oakland Museum of California, affordable any time ($8 general, $5 students and seniors) and free the second Sunday of each month. A variety of changing and permanent exhibitions offer an interesting experience for people of all ages and interests. The ongoing "Family Explorations" series offers hands-on family activities that explore art, history, culture, and natural science. For more information and a schedule, visit http://www.museumca.org/.
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Attend
Mirrors of Mumbai, a play about an Indian family struggling to
find its way in a time of globalization and rapid change. The production,
which uses traditional and contemporary music, dance and theatrical forms,
is based on a series of interviews conducted by Opera Piccola collaborators
in India last spring. Attend the Fifth Annual Dance IS Festival, March 7-8, 8 p.m._Julia Morgan Center, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley_$12 general, $8 students_Dancers from local high school and college programs, as well as professional dance companies, in two performances. _http://www.danceisfestival.org FUNDRAISERS: Music
for Minors II - celebrates its 20th year of keeping music in
the schools with "Cheers for 20 Years" fundraiser at Washington
Township Veterans' Building, 37154 2nd Street, Fremont. February 9, 7
p.m. All proceeds benefit the program currently serving over 4,000 children
weekly in Fremont, Newark, and Castro Valley. A
Celebration of Music |
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