Blog 4 - Families and Children Stand by the Arts

     As mentioned in my last blog, I was able to partake in a school board meeting regarding the possible issue of cutting the art and music program(s) within the school district which I am using as my host internship site. Through this meeting I was able to observe parents, children of various ages, and community members reflect and defend the importance of the arts.

     To set the background, the meeting took place in the school gym. The original location was moved due to the expected flow of attendees. There were rows and rows of chairs placed but just before the meeting began, I noticed that chairs were full and we had filled a gym with a standing audience as well. Though the meeting was not considered public, community members signed over five pages of a sign-in sheet which listed their turn to speak and address the board.

     After the meeting began, they reviewed topics of discussion. As they reached the issue of budget shortfalls and possible cut backs in the art and music depart of K-8^th grades, the public was allowed to address the Board of Education members. Community members ranging from adult parents, to high school students, and elementary children took their turn addressing their concerns.

After two hours, below are some highlighted comments which I noted:

• Parent: “The only reason they [students] get up to go to school, read, and complete their studies is they look forward to moments to express and explore. This [music and art] is where their hopes and dreams are explored. You cannot take away their motivation.”

• Parent: “My child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) notes the importance of his participation in the arts and music. It allows him to flow in thought and it increases his ability to perform on tests. It [music and art] is a part of a well rounded education.”

• Student: “Art is my outlet.”

• Student: “I am a high school student here to support the arts in the younger grades. The arts kept me focused while I was younger. I explored with words and music. Today, I am in high honor classes making straight A’s…without art, I would not have been able to achieve my current status.”

• Student: “It [art] inspires us to be better, think out loud and relieve stress.”

• Student: “Colleges look for students that can think outside the box. Without art, music and expression, where will this come from?”

• Student: “Art, music, and band represents the community. It is something that brings us together and defines as one.”

• 4th grade student: “I am good at it. Please don’t take it away.”

• 2^nd grade student: “I made a clay project and took it home to my family to share. It will last forever. I like to paint and talk about art with my friends.”

      In addition to the observations I made throughout the meeting, I was able to talk with several parents. I continued to hear the same repetitive information regarding the importance of art, music, band, and creativity. The insights I gained during this experience was the personal effects art(s) have on people. For many it is personal, and for others, art is a social connection. Regardless of why one believes in art, the commonality was the same, art is vital to our children. The community outreach and support demonstrated through this board meeting proved such a notion. It also gave me the realization that if you believe in something, you have the power to advocate for it. After 3 hours of this board meeting and a vote, the final outcome was to keep the art and music programs. It is a testament on what a difference YOU can make.

Blog 3 - Interacting with Professionals

Coincidentally around the time I chose my research advocacy plan the school district which I am using as my host site was holding a board meeting. The topic of discussion was budget shortfalls and budget cuts. Within the agenda the idea was brought to the board to cut art, music, band and athletic programs for all students K-8^th grade. As the community heard of this news and the possibility of losing the arts within the school system, many residents attended the meeting.

I took advantage of the opportunity to attend the meeting as well. While I was there I was able to discuss the outlook of some current Board of Education members. They shared their ideas on how the arts are important within the school system yet budgets are short and something must give. They further explained that cutting certain programs did not mean they did not believe in its value; they just lacked ideas and monetary means.

When asked about arts within the classroom curriculum they advised that arts allowed for creative thinking and can be fun during free time. Furthermore, they recently hired a curriculum coordinator into the district that may have ideas to incorporate creative means but they had no specific details on what that meant. Rather, the coordinator was hired to aid educators in switching curricula from the old standards to the Common Core Standards which included new textbooks and new means of delivery to students.

To continue my observations, interactions and interviews, I had the opportunity to talk with a new board member to be sworn in within the next month. He advised that he would oppose any notion in cutting arts within the district. “Arts are what define our youth.” He had no true experience with arts within the curriculum but personally was able to relate to his own personal life. His daughter was just finishing preschool and about to enter the school system. He advised that she loved showing him her work. The work she seemed to express the most joy out of was/is her pictures or personal writings (journals, story writing, etc). He said that it gives him affirmation that arts are valuable in growth and development.

This particular gentleman was also kind enough to offer insights to advocacy. He said being a part of the board is a volunteer position. Although you get voted in, it is not a paid job. He decided it was time to do something and stand for issues that he believed were/are important. However, he noted that being an advocate does not have to go that far. He offered ideas such as writing a board member and attending the meetings help; furthermore, contact your local and state politicians and email your school’s administration staff. He said to get passionate and involved – that is how we [communities and people] make a difference.

I felt I gained important insights during this task. Through other courses I have discussed thoughts, ideas and interviewed principles, a superintendant and a program director. Prior to this event, I had not considered the other side of administration which includes the Board of Education. After talking with them and those that attended the board meeting as public observers, I discovered that the community has a great deal to do with what occurs within the school system. We [the public] have a great amount of power and responsibility. It is up to us to be our children’s advocate(s).

Following my experience with the board members, I was able to attend the very long meeting and discuss topics with parents…more to come on this in our next blog.