Inspiration of the Day (For Better Things for Kids)
Got this from Facebook (via Leslie Harris) about kids and the arts via a guy named Darryl A. Chamberlain:
We must always remember the importance of giving our best to our kids. Here is the Monti's Czardas played by The Kanneh-Mason kids. This is what happens when you are willing to get music lessons for your kids.
I always tell anyone who will listen - but especially elected officials - that after class size, the arts seem to be the most important thing to parents for their children. Mr. Chamberlain speaks of getting music lessons for your kids which may be difficult for many parents (time, cost, getting your child there) but if we had more arts in our schools, that would be something most parents would be overjoyed to see.
Not to start a fight but we were having a discussion on another thread about sports in schools. Which would you rather see funded and finding the time for - sports or arts?
We must always remember the importance of giving our best to our kids. Here is the Monti's Czardas played by The Kanneh-Mason kids. This is what happens when you are willing to get music lessons for your kids.
I always tell anyone who will listen - but especially elected officials - that after class size, the arts seem to be the most important thing to parents for their children. Mr. Chamberlain speaks of getting music lessons for your kids which may be difficult for many parents (time, cost, getting your child there) but if we had more arts in our schools, that would be something most parents would be overjoyed to see.
Not to start a fight but we were having a discussion on another thread about sports in schools. Which would you rather see funded and finding the time for - sports or arts?
Comments
- Ramona H
'that would cost money!' say the people who know how to count little which matters.
Yes it would cost money to hire adults to coach all these things, and it would cost money to buy Made In America sporting stuff (frisbees & baseballs & softballs & kick balls & soccer balls & ...) and all that money would go back into the local economy.
And the kids would have stuff do to at their local fields ... with adult supervision. Ummm...
How would this be
ALoser
Parents teacher
HP
Sports/athletics/phsyical fitness are all wonderful outlets but all activities that can often take place outside the school environment. And not, in my opinion, as likely to build the multifaceted lifelong benefits for kids as an intense involvement in the arts. Plus team sports tend to develop an aggressive competitive quality - both among the players themselves, as well as the coaches, parents, and "boosters," as seen from the recent Bellevue scandal. I don't like this side of team sports and don't think it is healthy.
Finally, as so few parents can afford to pay for private music or art lessons, building these activities into the school day is crucial. Many kids (speaking generally here) can get fit for free and on their own by walking, running, playing pick-up basketball, soccer, etc, as well as neighborhood and club sports. But they cannot learn to play the violin without the structured, informed support of a trained teacher.
I only wish that the arts could garner the kind of slavering support that a Bellevue football team can muster...
-Reader
Elective classes can provide resources, instruction, and sustained exposure to activities which have a high bar to entry. What is the likelihood that students will earn to machine-sew, properly use a wood plane or milling machine, or play cello unless they have access to the equipment and instruction in a classroom environment with their peers?
This takes space and funding which are both scarce right now, but I believe it's a worthy investment to develop motivated and well-rounded students.
-reality check
The arts offer all kids a chance to connect with their creative side. American creativity is what sets us apart from other countries. We should nurture that by exposing our children to a variety of creative outlets.
Yes it is doable, but it takes prioritization and it means weaning ourselves from the notion that "enhancement" needs to be fee-based or fund-raiser based. Use MSOC funds as intended (maintenance, supplies and operating costs), use levies as intended (enhancement for all students.)
Participation fees of $50 or less (applicable to music, sports or some other school activity) is one thing. When fees get into the hundreds we have a serious equity issue.
I know most people blame testing for narrowing the curriculum, and I don't disagree. But I think the way we let essentials like the arts get kicked into fund-raising ALSO narrowed the curriculum.
BTW: This would mean SEA and district can't co-opt MSOC and levy for salaries and admin, like they have been and seemingly intend to continue doing. The salary scale is set by the state (there is some leeway about how to divvy it up locally. But they have to stay within the allocation). Negotiations and lobbying about raises should be with the state. Technically, the district can't give teachers a "raise." They can only write supplemental contracts for TRI pay. And TRI is supposed to be for additional time, responsibility and incentive. Not annual raises, not cost of living.
- Ramona