ARTS NEWSLETTER # 16- 4 September 2007
GREETINGS FROM ARGY’S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the Department of Education
ARTS NEWS
HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR! I hope your year is WONDERFUL and filled with learning opportunities for you and your students. It felt a little strange during the last two weeks not being in school each day preparing my classroom and meeting with staff about the new the school year.
PORTA PORTAL
Some of my work this summer has consisted of putting together a Porta Portal. It is filled with websites of arts and education resources and continues to be a ‘work in progress’. Please feel free to use it as a guest by going to http://portaportal.com On the right side of the screen under the words “Guest Access” type in: meartsed. I will be adding and changing it around as I have time and new resources so please check it periodically.
NEWSLETTER
WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO…. this electronic arts education newsletter is going to 506 participants. This is an increase of 14 from the last newsletter. If you are interested in reviewing back issues of the newsletter click on: http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe-arts/
If you know of others that wish to receive the newsletter please ask them to email me argy.nestor@maine.gov
MAINE LEARNING RESULTS
GREAT NEWS! There will be a public hearing on Maine Department of Education Regulation - Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction on September 10, 2007 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM. This includes the Visual and Performing Arts proposed revisions to the Maine Learning Results. Please look at the proposed revisions at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/review/peigr.html Information about the locations for the public hearing are included in Informational Letter #9 which is attached. As you will see from the letter you can provide comment by attending the public hearing or submitting comments electronically or by snail mail until September 24th. You can access the public comment form at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/review/public_comment.doc
STATE-WIDE ARTS CONFERENCE-OCT. 5, 6, 2007
AT THE CREATIVE CENTER
THE ARTS IN MAINE SCHOOLS
Please don’t miss out on this professional development opportunity. As of today just over 100 teachers have registered for the conference. Registration information is at http://www.maineartseducation.org/ The rooms at the Samoset are all reserved but there are links to other accommodations in the mid-coast area on the website. Each of the following professional organizations have been working to plan an outstanding conference for you: Maine Department of Education (MDOE), The Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) and the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) partnering with Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA), Maine Drama Council (MDC), Dance Education in Maine Schools (DEMS) and VSA arts of Maine (VSA). Arts educators, administrators, classroom teachers, parents and community members are invited to attend.
REORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
MEDIA ALERT from the Maine Department of Education
All 290 school administrative units filed one or more Notice(s) of Intent as of Tuesday, September 4th. The updated list is on our website at:
http://www.maine.gov/education/supportingschools/index.html
Look for the link: Updated List of Notices of Intent filed as of Tuesday, Sept. 4 The Department will review the plans and will respond to SAUs by Sept. 14.
MLTI-Maine Learning Technology Initiative-don’t miss out!
Teacher Leader Job Description
Teacher leadership is critical to the successful implementation of technology use in “whole school capacity building” to increase student and educator learning. It is recommended that each school designates a “lead teacher” (a classroom teacher with influence and power) that has the respect and confidence of their own colleagues in the classroom. This is a great opportunity for learning and networking for arts educators. For more information please click http://www.mainelearns.org/story_detail?story_id=742
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
The Maine Department of Education announces the availability of $1250 scholarships to support Maine public school teachers wishing to participate in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ( NBPTS) certification process during the coming school year. Subsidy allocations will be made on a first come, first serve basis. For more on the availability of funds, please contact Ellen Holmes at ellen.holmes@maine.gov or at 207-624-6979. For more information please click http://www.maine.gov/education/cert/nbpts.html
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
"Airborne Teacher Trust Fund Grants for School Art & Music Programs" The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund invites elementary and middle school teachers to submit proposals for art and music programs that their schools are unable to fund. Maximum Award: $10,000. Eligibility: elementary and middle school teachers in both public and private schools. The deadline is October 31, 2007. For more information please go to http://www.airbornetrust.com/index.aspx
MAINE PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATON
Your student art work could be on display this school year for the many professionals that visit the Maine Principals’ Association Conference Center in Augusta. Communicate with your principals about sending a letter of interest to Mr. Richard Durost, Executive Director, Maine Principals’ Association, 50 Industrial Drive, P.O. Box 2468, Augusta, ME 04338-2468 or email mpa@mpa.cc
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
• Mayhem Poets family series
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
All Tickets $10
John Ford Auditorium at Portland High School, Portland, Maine
Sponsored by PCA Great Performances
Believing that “poetry adds life to life,” these three artists perform original poetry while imparting a hip, positive message. Using hip-hop rhythms and theatrical techniques, the Mayhem Poets inspire a young people to study poetry in both classical and contemporary forms. Sourcing Portland’s Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and with influences as diverse as Dr. Seuss, Maya Angelou and Salvador Dali, the Mayhem Poets show us that serious verbal acuity can be a blast. Geared toward ages 10–15
For more information please call Barri Lynn Moreau 773-3150 or email her at blmoreau@pcagreatperformances.org or click on http://www.pcagreatperformances.org/2007-08/mayhem.shtml
• ArtWorks, an art program for students in grades K through 6, provides
children an opportunity to explore the world of art through hands-on experiences with a variety of visual media, the history of art, and the viewing of art works. The fall ArtWorks session will run for five consecutive weeks with classes held on Friday afternoons from 3:30-5:00 in Lord Hall on the University of Maine campus, October 12- November 9, $25.00 course fee. For more information please contact Constant Albertson at 581-3251 or the Dept. of Art, Lord Hall, at 581-3245 or by e-mail: constant.albertson@umit.maine.edu
JOB OPENINGS
• Art, K-12, Jackman, Maine. For more information please go to http://www.servingschools.com/html/job_detail.php
• Art, K-6, MSAD #40, Warren Community School. For more information please go to www.msad40.org
CONFERENCES/ MEETINGS
• “No Citizen Left Behind: What’s New in the New Social Studies Learning Results” Conferences
These identical conferences will be held on November 1st at the Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus and November 2nd at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Cost is $25.00 per person and will include registration, morning refreshments, lunch, and all materials. The “No Citizen Left Behind” Conferences are intended to provide elementary, middle, and high school educators with professional development and relevant resources aligned with the revised Social Studies Learning Results. For more information email Glenn.Nerbak@maine.gov or for the registration form click http://www.maine.gov/education/calendar/calendar-full.shtml
• Beyond Adequate: Transforming Our Educational Landscape through the Arts
Artists, educators, parents and school leaders are invited to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts' annual Arts in Education partnership conference, The conference takes place Friday, October 5, through Sunday, October 7, at the Sargent Center for Outdoor Education in Hancock, NH, and features outstanding guest speakers, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and a wide array of programs devoted to professional development and renewal. Come to the conference to explore the relationship between the arts and the environment; learn how to use the arts to celebrate the powerful voice of every child; connect the arts and academics; and adopt a culture-based approach to teaching and learning. For a conference brochure, registration form and workshop descriptions, visit http://www.nh.gov/nharts or www.aannh.org.
• Art in the Heart Meeting
When: Thursday, Sept 20th, 4pm-6pm
Where: University of Maine, Lord Hall, room 202
ART SCIENCE CONNECTION
• Barbara Morgan wants you!!!!!
Not to go into space, but she has a gift for you! She took about 1.5 million cinnamon basil seeds into space and she wants you and your class to grow them and then report your findings back to her. For more information please go to this link: http://www.teachspace.us/
• The Cheche Konnen Center at TERC received a $80,000 Ford Foundation
Grant to support ArtScience: Toward A New Pedagogical Vision
This one-year exploratory study will examine connections between artistic and scientific literacy’s and the opportunities such connections may create for engaged and equitable learning for all children. For more information please go to http://www.terc.edu/newsroom/984.html
FOR SALE
Large electric kiln with shelves, excellent shape, interior dimensions are: height 29" x length 39" x depth 25", $300.00. Call Kristine at 827-0451.
ART OPENING
High Street Studio and Gallery and The Belfast Historical Society join forces
in hosting an exhibit: BELFAST THE WAY IT WAS FROM OUR MEMORIES
Opening September 7th, 5:00-8:00 on display through September
High Street Studio & Gallery, 149 High Street, Belfast
For more information call 338-8990 or email stwhite1@verizon.net
QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
“The Arts are a major repository of human values, beliefs, aspirations, occupations, and achievement. As such, arts learning has an inherent bond with enduring ideas. This natural connection can be fostered by an integrated curriculum approach.” Marilyn G. Stewart and Sydney R. Walker, Rethinking Curriculum in Art
