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| Written by Maryellen Rogusky |
| Wednesday, 17 May 2006 06:00 |
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In the coming school year, Project ARTS funds will provide schools with an opportunity to increase student learning in the arts by planning instruction collaboratively and integrating arts learning with thematic learning across an entire grade or an entire school. The publication of the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Art, Music, Dance and Theater provides a rigorous framework upon which to build instructional programs in these four subjects, preK-12. It also assures that when the arts are integrated into collaborative projects with literacy, social studies, mathematics, science or physical education, the arts are taught with the same rigor as the other subjects. June planning is a perfect opportunity for your community to work together to assure that the arts have a real presence in the instructional program for the coming year. The Role of the Project ARTS Liaison The school-based Project ARTS liaison will play an important role in the planning and Implementation of arts education in each school. It is recommended that whenever possible, the liaison be an Assistant Principal for several reasons: An Assistant Principal can be released to attend meetings without impacting classroom instruction and is able to work closely with the school principal to assure that information and opportunities are made available to students, staff and parents. Further, the Assistant Principal is often the individual responsible for supervising arts teachers and scheduling the instructional program for the school so that the arts are well represented in Professional Development as well as classroom activities. The Regional Arts Supervisors will be holding regularly scheduled meetings for the school-based Project ARTS liaisons. These meetings will introduce the liaisons to information about professional development programs for school-based arts specialists, opportunities for Partnerships with the cultural community and resources for students, teachers, administrators and families that are available from the extensive and very supportive New York City arts organizations and cultural institutions. Planning for Project ARTS Project ARTS is designed to be implemented as the result of a planning process which takes place during designated June planning days. It is designed to support and extend arts learning for the students as well as to foster collaborations across grades and among disciplines within each school community. Every school is expected to form a Project ARTS Advisory Committee as a subcommittee of the school’s Leadership Team. This committee works to make best use of the funds to support arts instruction for all students and to allow arts specialists and community-based arts providers to work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines and grades for the benefit of the students. The Project ARTS Liaison represents the school committee at the regional Project ARTS meetings. Use of Project ARTS Funds: Note: Project ARTS funds are issued on a per capita basis. Please note that as a unique allocation category, funds may only be used as indicated below: a. Funds may be spent on the following:
b. Funds may be used to supplement the creation of an additional certified arts position up to 50% in elementary and middle schools and 100% in high schools. Note: Schools that close arts programs and excess arts specialists are not eligible to receive funds. Responsibilities: a. Schools are required to submit Information Summary and evaluation Forms regarding arts education activities sponsored by Project ARTS funds in FY05 to their Regional Arts Supervisor by May 27, 2005. (See attached.) The attached Spending Plan for FY’06 must be submitted to the Regional Arts Supervisor by June 15, 2005. Please attach a copy of the arts education section (Letter H and Action Plan) of your Comprehensive Education Plan to the Spending Plan . b. Copies of the Summary Information Form, the School Evaluation Form, Cover Sheet, Spending Plan and Arts Education portion of the CEP are to be provided to the Local Instructional Superintendent. Arts Education Opportunities Please note the following aspects of Project ARTS for the coming school year: Incentives for Arts Education Arts learning is best accomplished when schools have certified teachers of the arts on the faculty as part of the instructional team. Note that there is now New York State certification K-12 for visual art, music, dance and theater. To encourage elementary and middle schools to hire arts faculty, this year Project ARTS funds may be used to supplement the cost of an additional certified arts position up to 50%. High schools may fund an additional arts position up to 100%. Schools that hire a new, certified arts teacher (art, music, dance or theater) will receive an Arts Tool Kit to start off the program with needed equipment and resource materials. Introduction of Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance and Theater, K-12. A Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance and Theater has been created which provides instructional guidelines and benchmarks for student achievement for all students, K-12. All teachers of Dance and Theater, K-12 are invited to training as follows: Please save these dates: June 29 and 30, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30-3:00 pm LaGuardia high school for the Visual and Performing Arts Details will be forthcoming through the Principals’ Weekly and your Regional Arts Supervisor. Teachers will be paid the contractual rate for their participation as well as receive resource materials and equipment to support their instructional programs. Registration forms for Dance and Theater professional will be available online in May. An Arts Job Fair will be held Saturday, May 7, 2005 for certified arts teachers. Regional Arts Supervisors will be attending on behalf of the schools in their regions. Principals are invited to attend to interview potential arts teachers for their schools. Details are as follows: Saturday, May 7, 2005 10am – 12:00 Noon Martin Luther King, Jr. High School 122 Amsterdam Avenue at W. 65th Street New York City Free Musical Instruments for Elementary Schools VH1 Save the Music Program will provide free musical instruments to elementary schools that hire a certified music teacher and establish a new program in the school. The information and application are available online: http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/forms/schoolapp.html. The deadline for submitting an application is May 31, 2005. Studio in a School Association Art Partnership Initiative (API) Elementary schools interested in a visual art program provided by a professional artist training for teacher certification can apply for a Studio in a School challenge grant. Up to fifteen sites, citywide, will each be awarded over $43,000 in direct services and art supplies, for a $20,000 fee from each site. Each school must agree to establish a full-time visual art cluster position in subsequent years. Applications are due June 1, 2005. Further information and application are available online: http://www.studioinaschool.org/api/app/ Materials for the Arts (MFTA) Every school is eligible to acquire free materials for arts programs. Schools must register with the organization which can be reached at (718) 729-3001 or on the web at www.mfta.org. Once registered, schools can send designated representatives to the warehouse who can shop for free and take away as much as they can carry. |