11/03/2019
Please take the time to read this, like this, and repost this. Karen Mayfield is running for school board and would be a great advocate for the arts and music in the district. We need someone who will stand up for the arts!
At last Monday’s Candidates Forum, one of the questions was about Gifted Services. That question has stuck in my mind ever since. Mostly because of my own experience with the gifted services, in art and music, that I was told my daughters would receive but never did. It was a long time ago, but art and music still remain important to our daughters and our family.
After all these years, it bothers me that some of our elementary art teachers still travel from building to building. With the number of students in each building, there should be a full-time art teacher to deliver that curriculum efficiently, and to provide more time for that teacher to bond with their students, and to discover and build their talent. We can and need to do better.
Having attended many Focus Art Shows, I know that it was often dominated by the work of Whitmer art students. The talent and creativity of our students out-ranked all other districts. Now, it doesn’t seem to be publicized very well and the amazing creativity and work of our students goes unnoticed. And, for many years, WLS held the standard to which other school districts aspired to have in their art, music, and drama departments. Our art teachers not only teach art, they are artists. Our music teachers don’t just teach music, they are musicians.
Did you know that Whitmer art students have won more National Scholastic Awards in the arts than the rest of Northwest Ohio school districts combined? Back in 2005, my daughter Laura received the Silver Key Award for her drawing of “Soup and Biscuits,” when she was a junior in Mr. Curry’s class. That drawing is now proudly displayed in our kitchen.
We should not underestimate the importance of art and music in children’s lives. The basic lessons about color and shapes, and sound and rhythm, have evolved so much. Art and music are now tied into lessons involving math, science, cultural awareness, history, and much more. Children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as building their imagination and creativity. The arts are also an important part of children’s social and emotional growth, by providing them with creative outlets to express and communicate their feelings and observations about the world around them.
Studies show that children exposed to art and music on a regular basis are more empathetic and compassionate. We need that now, more than ever.
I urge parents and residents to celebrate and support the arts programming in Washington Local Schools. Go to a band concert, art show, or theater production and see our students’ achievements for yourself. We are doing something right and worthwhile by providing these opportunities for our children. And we are doing something good for our community when children thrive academically and socially.
