VPA Accomplishments

Visual and Performing Arts staff, students and families celebrate our  accomplishments since our Strategic Planning Process began in 2010.

2018-2023

• No VPA courses were eliminated during the pandemic.  Instructors provided online, hybrid and when approved, in person protocol-compliant opportunities to access art, music and theater during the varied schedules and structures during the 2019-2020 (winter/spring) and 2020-2021 school years.

• The BTSD Orchestra Program celebrated their 20th anniversary during the 2022-2023 school year. 

• AP Art 2D Design was approved for course consideration beginning in 2023 (pending resources)

• Visual and performing arts students were recognized in local, state and national competitions

• Introduced a new A Cappella Vocal group at High School

• Introduced a junior chapter of the International Thespian Society at Middle School

• MS visual art students helped to design and install a mural for the BTMS Media Center

• HS Art Teacher assisted a student in creating a Military Wall of Honor mural that honors BTHS alumni who served or are serving in the US Military. This living mural is maintained and updated by HS Visual Arts.

• K-12 student art work was included in publications, displayed in exhibits and posted digitally on websites and social media platforms.

• HS student art work was awarded various merits and sold by the students

• VPA students participate in arts experiences and activities outside of school. (e.g. museum visits, Broadway shows with talkbacks, Philadelphia Zoo trip & published photography, competitions)

• We continue to offer many VPA performances and exhibits, in the school and community, including virtual opportunities when in person options were not available.  We are pleased with increases in community attendance and support as we rebuild from the impact of the pandemic.

• FWS instrumental music program created and shared recruitment videos and an online registration  to sustain program participation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. FWS Band retention percentage increased 25% from ‘20-’21 SY to ‘21-’22 SY despite pandemic-related uncertainties.

• Yearbook course was expanded to accommodate increased student requests

• New courses were written and implemented including Digital Photography III and non-performing music electives such as Music of Film, Television, and Video Games 

2010-2017

• All VPA curricula were rewritten to reflect 2009 and 2016 NJ standards and National Standards.

• All VPA courses garnered equal weighting in the HS GPA.

• Honors level designation was awarded to 11 HS VPA courses

• College Acceleration program (CAP) designation was awarded to 8 HS VPA courses

• New courses were written and implemented including AP Music Theory

• All VPA teachers continue to meet at least once a year as a district-wide department.

• VPA teachers participate in intra-school visitations.

• VPA students participate in arts experiences and activities outside of school. (e.g. museum visits,   Broadway shows (with talkbacks),  competitions  

• Record number of students were honored as members of state vocal and instrumental ensembles, and also gained recognition in the visual arts.

• We continue to offer many VPA performances and exhibits, with notable increases in community attendance and support.

• Teachers incorporated educational components into performances and presentations, including explaining the artistic process while simultaneously experiencing the creative outcome.