ARTS Newsletter #8-15 May 2007
GREETINGS FROM ARGY’S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the Department of Education
NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is being emailed to 404 educators this week! WHOOO HOOO! If you know someone who isn’t receiving the newsletter and would like to, please ask them to email me argy.nestor@maine.gov
ARTS NEWS
I spent two wonderful days in western Maine, MSAD #17, which is the towns of Oxford, W. Paris, Paris, Norway, Otisfield, Harris, Waterford and Hebron. I was very impressed with the dedication and passion of high quality teaching.
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CONFERENCE-
Oct. 5,6, 2007- The title is:
AT THE CREATIVECENTER
THE ARTS IN MAINE SCHOOLS
A state-wide arts conference sponsored by the 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). THANK YOU for letting us know your plans. A call for presenters will go out in the next arts newsletter. Look for a post card that will be arriving at your school with more details of the conference.
CONGRATULATIONS
The following teachers have been selected to travel to Japan with the Fulbright Memorial Fund teacher program and will spend 3 weeks in Japan during the next year: art teachers Audrey Grumbling from Mildred L. Day School in Arundell, and Corliss Chastain from Maranacook Community High School in Readfield. Music teacher, Ian Ramsey, from North Yarmouth Academy. This is a wonderful opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about the program go to http://www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp/
REORGANIZATION PLANS
This link will lead you to Informational Letter #103 which includes information from the commissioner’s office on the reorganization of Maine school districts http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/2007/ilet/07ilet103.htm
ARGY’S ARTS BLOG
During the last four months you have received information on proposals for reorganizing Maine school districts. Proposals are still under discussion in the legislature. Some of you have followed this story through a variety of media. Please take a few minutes and go to the Arts blog http://mearts.edublogs.org/ and give your opinion on how you think the reorganization may impact your visual or performing arts program.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
In Arts Newsletter #7 I mentioned that we are fortunate to have art teacher, Charlie Johnson from Mount Desert Island High School and music teacher George Shabo, from Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach as two of the eight regional finalists for Maine’s 2008 Teacher of the Year. I had the opportunity to join the visiting team at George’s school last week. It was an exciting day, filled with admiration for an outstanding music teacher who has made an incredible impact on students, adults and community for years. Good luck to Charlie, whose visitation will take place this week.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Several grant opportunities are attached. Thank you to everyone who sent available grants to me so I could share them.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Belfast Area High School is anticipating an art teacher opening. For more information please contact Charles Hamm at Belfast Area High School, 98 Waldo Ave., Belfast, ME 04915 chamm@sad34.net
PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS
Thank you to everyone who has been sending me information about upcoming performances and exhibits. Attached is a listing of student performances and exhibitions.
SOFTWARE FOR KINDERGARTEN BEETHOVENS
This link will lead you to information on composition software http://news.com.com/Software+for+kindergarten+Beethovens/2009-1027_3-6183340.html
IT’S ALL ABOUT DANCE
Check out what they are doing state-wide in Hawaii
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/NEWS07/705020405
ENGLAND AND THE SYMPHONY
Every schoolchild in England to get free symphony ticket… England's eight top symphony orchestras will offer every schoolchild free entry to one classical music concert. Conductors hope the plan will inspire future musicians and music-lovers who might not otherwise be exposed to classical music during crowded school days. BBC (4/26)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6593341.stm
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
The National Endowment for the Arts announces the NEA Education Leaders Institute, a new program that will help increase the commitment of school leaders, state legislators, and policy makers to enhance the quality and quantity of arts education http://www.arts.gov/news/news07/ELI.html
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The attached document has professional development opportunities.
QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box…
