Marie Gibbons on thu 2 aug 01
this topic is a hot one for me... i teach workshops, clay sculpture in
elementary, middle and occassionally high school... the problem i run into is
with the high school more than any other grade... budget money is only
allocated (for most but not all schools) to programs that will benefit the
entire student body... meaning Art isn't one of those things, as it is
elective ..... this totally blows me away thinking of all the money that goes
into sports... my kids aren't into sports, those dollars don't do a thing for
them...
i don't know how we change this... i try to do what i can, and often do free
workshops just so that the kids have exposure... but my karma account is
really out weighing the bank account these days.. which is a good thing in
some ways but the family still gets hungry!
marie gibbons
www.oooladies.com
Elizabeth Judd on thu 2 aug 01
When I was in HS, we could take either art or music. Not both. As I
was thinking of being a musician at the time, I had to give up my art
classes. This was 15 years ago, and things are only worse now (at
least in the US) for the artistically inclined student.
It's true that testing and possible funding rule the curriculums now.
My mom is a HS English teacher, so I know all about it--math and
science are certainly very valuable, but we have got to realize that
not everyone excels at these thingsand that art, music and literature
are just as important.
It's really a shame that they couldn't plan for the art room; that
they couldn't at least call and ask about placement of the kiln, etc.
I'm sure the idea of health risks never even occured to anybody--not
that that's an excuse. Best of luck with the room--maybe they can do
something to ventilate it better?!
Elizabeth
"All human beings are dream beings. Dreaming ties all
mankind together."--Jack Kerouac
http://www.care2.com - Get your Free e-mail account that helps save Wildlife!
Anne Pfeiffer on fri 3 aug 01
Persistant letters and visits to school board meetings do help a lot to improve art allocation. In Loudoun Co., Virginia, the parents have even been known to picket the school board meetings, with signs and media attendance for this topic, and most often win their fight (a lot of type A parents?). Having worked for several school districts, it appears to be consistent that the powers that be are much more likely to listen to parents than to teachers.
That sometimes confuses me. They insinuate that we are only trying to keep our job and that we don't genuinely care about the program. THEN WHY DID THEY HIRE US?????? I have spoken up in support of my own children's art programs and the board gave me a look like I was just slime. They were perfectly wonderful to everyone else. I stood there confused and then remembered to say: "Oh, I am not an art teacher in this school system, I am parent!" Suddenly they smiled and nodded. What is it with us once they hire us? They seem to make horrible generalizations.
So please, when you are itching to speak your mind, focus your efforts on the local school board to support arts programs. Every squeak will help. We must not silently steam.
Thanks,
Anne
Gayle Bair on mon 6 aug 01
Hi Marie,
I just found this message I had forgotten to send it. I was caught up in
shows last week.
I know how you feel. I found that it was easier to raise funds for the arts
programs in Elementary school. Through the PTA/PTO we would run fundraisers.
I ran Santa's Secret Workshop several years and raised $1000's of dollars
for Music, Art and PE program. We had raffles, sold pizza, girl scouts did
wrapping, sold pictures with Santa and had high quality gifts with marks up
of $1 or less. We went to the wholesalers ourselves eliminating the
middlemen. It was a wildly successful event but took months of organizing. I
had the time then as I was totally devoted to my kids education and I hadn't
found clay yet.
Now middle and high school are another issue as there is much less parental
involvement and the parents that are involved are the fanatical sports, band
etc. parents. At that point you're a threat as every dime you solicit for
the arts is considered a dime less for band/football/cheerleader uniforms or
some such. Now before anyone gets bent out of shape know that I can say that
because my daughter was in the marching band at 2 different high schools.
I was working on an Art Show sale concept but moved out of that district
before I could get it organized. I also volunteered many 100's of hours in
classes, one on one tutoring, demoing and assisting in art classes.
Whatever grade level I found that working with other parents makes much more
of an impact when trying to organize or solicit help or funding.
Gayle Bair - Bainbridge Island WA formerly a school volunteer in PA and CO
Marie Wrote>
this topic is a hot one for me... i teach workshops, clay sculpture in
elementary, middle and occassionally high school... the problem i run into
is
with the high school more than any other grade... budget money is only
allocated (for most but not all schools) to programs that will benefit the
entire student body... meaning Art isn't one of those things, as it is
elective ..... this totally blows me away thinking of all the money that
goes
into sports... my kids aren't into sports, those dollars don't do a thing
for
them...
i don't know how we change this... i try to do what i can, and often do free
workshops just so that the kids have exposure... but my karma account is
really out weighing the bank account these days.. which is a good thing in
some ways but the family still gets hungry!
marie gibbons
www.oooladies.com
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