News Letter 02
GREETINGS from ARGY’S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the Department of Education!
Newsletter #2- 12 February 2007- Happy Valentine’s Day
ART’S NEWS
On Monday, January 29th Commissioner Gendron met with the ABC (Arts are Basic Coalition). Carol Trimble from Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Sandy Brennan from Maine Art Education Association, Rob Westerberg from Maine Music Educators Association, Nancy Salmon from Dance Education in Maine Schools, Rick Ash from Maine Drama Council and I had the chance to discuss the status of arts education. Attached you will find the notes from our meeting. If you have questions, please contact any of the names above or myself.
MAINE LEARNING RESULTS
Anita Bernhardt just released an update on the MLR’s. The proposed revisions are slated to go to the education legislative committee some time in March. I have attached Anita’s entire update so you can get the latest details. If you want to look at the revisions go to: http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/review/vpa_pro_rev.htm
THE SURVEY
I am working on graphing the results of the online arts survey most of you filled out. I will pass this information on to you as it becomes available. Two areas of concern were clearly stated. One is the desire for professional development opportunities and the other is the isolation that many teachers of the arts feel being the only person in a building or in some cases a district. I have already begun to address these two concerns.
COMMUNICATION
This newsletter is the first form of communication for teachers of the arts. This week I am working on a blog. If you are not familiar with blogs, I suggest you google it and see what you can learn. You will have the opportunity through the arts blog to discuss arts topics. You can participate if you would like by listening, writing or both. Watch for more information on our ARTS BLOG coming soon.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Carol Trimble (Maine Alliance for Arts Education Executive Director), Paul Faria (Maine Arts Commission Arts in Education Associate) and I will be meeting in two weeks to begin plans for a conference for the four arts disciplines; dance, music, theater and visual arts. If you have suggestions or are interested in helping to plan the conference please be sure and email me.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
The Maine Arts Commission also has an arts education list-serve. If you are interested in receiving their information go to their website at MaineArtrs.com, select the Login icon and then click on “sign-up” link. Under “Account Information” and “Type” select “Arts Educator”.
ONE MORE NOTICE
If you are interested in seeing a comparison of the seven proposals for reorganizing Maine’s school district please look at the attached document.
