Kennedy Center Partnership

Something very exciting is happening on the island. Deer Isle-Stonington School District entered into a partnership with the Kennedy Center, (our National Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C.) and Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House this past year. With such a partnership (the only one in Maine) it is possible to reach our main goal, which is to bring high quality professional development to teachers by way of trained dance, visual, musical and theatre artists. Teachers then take what they’ve learned and apply it to how and what they teach in the classroom. Imagine engaged students learning reading comprehension skills through drama activiities! Well, it's happening, the students love it, and what’s more - they remember what they’ve learned. They actually become better readers and writers.

In January we had Cissy Whipp (a dancer and teacher from an arts magnet school in New Orleans) teach our teachers, during an in-service workshop, how to use body movement, the elements of dance, music and African symbols to inspire enriched reading and writing by students. More than 35 teachers from DISES and some from Brooklin and Sedgwick schools participated. The following day, Cissy worked with teachers in their classrooms with students.  In March, drama teacher Karen Erickson from Chicago showed teachers how to strengthen word skills and writing quality through dramatic creations and re-enactments of stories.  Once again, Karen worked with teachers and students the following day in the classroom.  Professional development has never been so much fun AND effective in helping teachers reach a diverse population of students.

The best part of this is that the artists have worked hard to present materials that easily match the goals of the school's curriculum, so this is not an added thing teachers must do.  For example, our school's goal this year was to focus on improving literacy achievement. We also had a school wide theme which focused on Africa. The two artists we brought in this year targeted both literacy and Africa in their workshops.  The additional evening workshops at the Opera House allowed teachers and administrators from schools in the surrounding area to attend as well.  And the feedback from teachers has been terrific!

So, why is it important to keep the arts strong in our schools? How does the study of the arts contribute to student achievement and success? “Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement” is designed to answer those questions. This compendium of research describes in non-technical terms how the study of the arts contributes to student success. For more information, go to  http://aep-arts.org/files/publications/CriticalLinks.pdf.

Future plans are already in the works - We have expanded our partnership base and are working toward professional development for the high school teachers in addition to sustaining the momentum gained in the elementary school.  A K-12 arts-integration professional learning community has already met twice and is excited about the possibilities for next year.

The importance of the arts in our lives cannot be overstated. Parents can help by encouraging children to sign up for band lessons, to be in the play, to take dance lessons or register for summer arts camp. The Reach will play a critical role in helping us to sustain the interest in and support of the arts in our schools.  The evidence is in.  The arts help learning all around and improves the quality of life for everyone.
 
                       Ms. Ring, Principal