Get Schooled

By faye

November 23, 2005 03:42 PM | Link to this

My kids had music and art at least once weekly throughout elementary school.

Middle and high school had much more to offer. Music - fairly strong programs in my county (Cobb). My kids have had the opportunity for band or orchestra from middle school on up, with other options such as marching or jazz band in high school. My only complaint is that I think they should start sooner than 6th grade - the school system where I grew up started kids in 4th grade.

Visual art classes have been harder to get into - not enough opportunity in middle school, just a basic class which you may or may not get. My daughter had to wait through her freshman year before she could take basic art, a prerequisite for all other art classes in high school. As a result, she was never able to fit in a class in photography, something she was really interested in, before she graduated.

Cobb has a good Performing Arts magnet, but not a Visual Arts magnet, something I’d like to see. I think I’m lucky in Cobb County that the arts are pretty well-supported.

By Robert

November 23, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

My school in DeKalb County has all sorts of music programs. There is marching band, symphony band, and even orchestra to include string instruments. Many of the students are selected to play in the Atlanta Youth Orchestra.

In addition, the art program (painting, drawing, etc.) is top notch at my school. Students win State and National awards every year.

Interestingly, my school is not a special school for the arts, but rather a regular public high school. And, it is not a mega-school with 3,000 students, but rather usually averages about 1,000 students per year.

IMHO, art and music programs, like all and any programs are supported by the community. If the parents of the children demand them and support them, then it seems like the school is more than happy to provide them. Unfortunately, more high schools seem to have parental and community involvement only in their football programs.

By Alan

November 25, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this

I have children at the elementary, middle and high-school levels in the Brookwood Cluster in Gwinnett County. In elementary school the students get an introduction to music through once or twice-a-week classes. At the middle-school level, both band and orchestra classes are offered as electives for all three years. At the high school, students can choose from marching band, four different concert bands (learning and performing at different levels), orchestra, a jazz studies program that offers both large-group and small ensemble opportunities, and one of the finest music technology programs in the nation. Many jump to the conclusion that because we’re Brookwood that all this is about (or because of) money. But the real answer is parental involvement. Our parents roll up their sleeves and work hard year-round to support these programs. The school system provides the faculty, but as in most successful school-based music programs the booster organizations roll up their sleeves and work, donating literally thousands of hours of effort through the year in part to raise additional funds to additional instructors and equipment. This incredible music program has produced a number of career musicians, as well as scores of students each year who go on to participate in music activities at the collegiate level. And, all of this happens alongside a broader program of fine arts that includes not just the instrumental music program but also drama, dance, and chorus. Does all of this come because the school board ‘gives’ it to us? Absolutely not!!! It requires the support and cooperation of the principal and school administration AND THE PARENTS!

By naseem Kazemi

November 28, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this

I am concerned with the schools that do not have the resources and the parental involvement because of social factors that keep them from having them. Some students don’t have parents that are able or even know how to advocate for special programs for their children. I just want to know how to fix those school and give those kids the opportunity to receive the same programs that other kids don’t even have to question if they get it or not.

By jim dumond

November 28, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

Well Naseem, when you figure that one out you’ll have solved all of the worlds problems.

By Naseem

November 28, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

Very true, but I don’t ever want to stop trying and I hope that others don’t either. There is just so much evidence that shows that at risk students benefit from fine arts education. These students need these programs to escape the cycle that they are caught in.

By Karen Armsby

November 28, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Naseem, Even the poorest schools have leaders among the parents. All it takes is some leadership in each school to get a small group together, get the support of the principal and teachers (which is sometimes a big hurdle!) and then start building a core of volunteers and supporters, and community business partnerships. The state PTA provides leadership training and suggestions and support. Contact them first to get started if the school doesn’t have a PTA.

By jim dumond

November 28, 2005 10:28 AM | Link to this

Naseem, Your concerns are admirable.

I didn’t mean to sound glib with my earlier post.

Your involvement through local PTA / PTO’s is one method of creating change. Yet another that is often overlooked would be to run for a position on your local school council.

In Georgia, local school councils are charged with improving schools. Since you feel arts programs improve education and there is an abundance of research documenting that claim, you may be able to bring changes to a school that would have a large impact on the students you have concern for.

By jim dumond

November 28, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

Naseen,

One parting thought.

I do set on a school council at a relatively new (2nd year) school in Gwinnett County.

One thing that I feel has helped our arts program (which is VERY strong) is that every extracurricular activity has its own booster club. I personally belong to 2, wrestling and drama. Our primary function is to raise funds to support these activities. If the school you are involved with does not have booster clubs in place to help provide for some of the activities, you may wish to attempt to start them.

I know to some readers the sound of a chess boosters club may sound a bit silly, but it’s not silly to the kids that are participating in the chess club.