-
Parents:
Please complete this statement:
"The ARTS have made a difference in my child's life
by....................."
-
Teachers: Please submit photos of your
program highlights via e-mail and explain the value of the arts in education. (Student work, performances, awards and achievements...)
Please submit to
PascoArts4Kids@gmail.com with your name, email, phone number, title
(parent, concerned community member, business leader, employer, media, student,
teacher, other ____)
***********************************************************************************************************
Parents and concerned community;
Florida is a "local decision" state; the Florida legislature appropriates
funding as a per-pupil distribution and it is up to the local school
districts how to spend that money (within policy constraints). There is no
separate line item in education funding for arts education.
Because the arts are not mandated by state law or policy, funding for
arts teachers and arts education programs is a local decision, sometimes
made by the board of education through policy or left to school principals.
The Pasco county school district budget is
currently being evaluated for more inevitable cuts. Arts across the board
are in jeopardy, as some of these programs are not mandated by the classroom
size requirements. Additionally, it has been discussed that teachers not
disciplined in the arts (both visual and performing) can instruct via the
mandates required for Common Core State Standards that will become effective
in 2012.
Why do we need the arts now?
“The arts develop skills and habits
of mind that are important for workers in the new economy of ideas.”
Alan Greenspan, former U.S. Federal
Reserve Chairman
• Economic
development . . . The creative industries play a major role in
building and sustaining economically vibrant communities. Arts organizations
provide jobs and generate government revenue and are the cornerstone of
tourism and downtown revitalization.
As
Florida moves toward implementation of the Common Core State Standards, some
might question whether or not schools should continue their arts programs.
After all, our students have a lot of catching up to do with the rest of the
country and the rest of the world. They are woefully behind in basic
skills, and will certainly struggle to engage in educational opportunities
that will become increasingly more rigorous as our nation attempts to narrow
the gap between what is expected for high school graduation, and what is
needed for success in college or career.
We
need the arts more than ever now, to give our kids the solid academic
foundation that will be critical for their success and the future of our
economy and democracy. The truth is that arts education:
*makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth
of every child and has been proven to help level the "learning field"
across socio-economic boundaries
(Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James
S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education &
Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January
1998)
*has
a measurable impact on at-risk youth in deterring delinquent behavior and
truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among
those youth engaged in afterschool and summer arts programs targeted toward
delinquency prevention
(YouthARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice,
National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts)
*builds
a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that
attracts businesses relocating to your community
*strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to
overall academic achievement and school success
*helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance,
and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond
*helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done(Business
Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, "Arts at the Core of Learning 1999
Initiative")
The Common Core State Standards demand that students
engage in collaborative discussions and think critically as never before.
If Florida wants its students to achieve, it must find a way to incorporate
the arts into all levels of its public schools.
Please submit letters of support and questions to
PascoArts4Kids@gmail.com with your name, email, phone number, title
*******************************************************************************************************
Resources that SUPPORT WHY THE ARTS ARE
IMPORTANT FOR YOUTH!
Click on red to link!
Upcoming School Board Mtg. and Public School Budget Town Hall Mtgs.
Voice your concerns at these meetings!
Next Pasco County School Board Meeting:
April 5, 9:30am
Pasco County Schools
District Office:
7227 Land
O' Lakes Blvd.; Land O' Lakes, FL 34638
(813) 794-2000; (352)
524-2000; (727) 774-2000
Map & Directions
Public School Budget Town
Hall Meetings:
April 6, 6:30pm
Seven Springs Middle School
2441 Little Road; New Port Richey, FL 34655
Phone: (727) 774-6700 •
Directions
Cynthia Armstrong
carmstro@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-3492
(813) 794-3492
(352) 524-3492
April 7, 6:30pm
Fivay High
School
12115 Chicago Avenue; Hudson, FL 34669
Phone: (727) 246-4000 •
Directions
Steve Luikart
jluikart@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-3493
(813) 794-3493
(352)
524-3493
April 14, 6:30pm
Charles S. Rushe Middle School
18654 Mentmore Boulevard; Land O' Lakes, FL 34638
Phone: (813) 346-1200 •
Directions
Joanne Hurley
jhurley@pasco.k12.fl.us
(
727) 774-2140
(813) 794-2140
(352) 524-2140
April 18, 6:30pm
Rodney B. Cox Elementary School
37615 Martin Luther King Boulevard; Dade City, FL 33523
Phone: (352) 524-5100 •
Directions
Allen Altman
alaltman@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-5590
(813) 794-5590
(352) 524-5590
April 20, 6:30pm
River
Ridge Performing Arts Center
11646 Town Center Road; New Port Richey, FL 34654
Phone: (727) 774-7200 •
Directions
Alison Crumbley
acrumble@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-3491
(813) 794-3491
(352) 524-3491
***************************************************************************************
Brush up on your advocacy skills:
Communicate
a clear
message
-
please retain school arts programs
-
understand that tough decisions have to be made but we expect cut
backs among subject areas to be equitable
-
total elimination of arts programs is an unacceptable solution
The message is the answer to the question:
"Why is learning in the arts essential to education in the
21st century?"
To strengthen LITERACY
The arts are an essential language.
To develop a GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE workforce
The arts
develop essential skills for global competitiveness in the 21st century.
To nurture ENGAGED LEARNERS
The arts promote active and complex learning.
Be visible to decision makers
-Superintendent
Heather Fiorentino 727-774-2000
-Superintendent Staff
Ruth B. Reilly Assistant Superintendent
for Curriculum and Instructional Services
Phone: (813) 794-2650, (727) 774-2650,
(352) 524-2650
eMail:
rreilly@pasco.k12.fl.us
David Scanga Assistant Superintendent
for Elementary Schools
Phone: (813) 794-2695, (727) 774-2695,
(352) 524-2695
eMail:
dscanga@pasco.k12.fl.us
Tina Tiede Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools
Phone:
(813) 794-2532, (727) 774-2532, (352) 524-2532
eMail:
ttiede@pasco.k12.fl.us
Renalia Smith DuBose, Esq.
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
Phone: (813) 794-2856, (727)
774-2856, (352) 524-2856
eMail:
rdubose@pasco.k12.fl.us
Joanne Hurley
jhurley@pasco.k12.fl.us
727) 774-2140
(813) 794-2140
(352) 524-2140
P.O. Box 1379; Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639
Cynthia Armstrong
carmstro@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-3492
(813) 794-3492
(352) 524-3492
9251 Alcott Way;
Trinity, Florida 34655
10811 Panicum Court; New Port Richey, Florida
34655
Steve Luikart
jluikart@pasco.k12.fl.us
(727) 774-3493
(813) 794-3493
(352) 524-3493
6442 Oelsner Street;
New Port Richey, Florida 34652
letters
The more positive and substantive your
letter is, the more influence it is likely to have. Say what's
on your mind and in your heart.
Use
your own words whenever possible, and don't
think you have to write like a syndicated columnist to have
influence.
-Be
brief, clear, and specific. Keep your letter to one page, if
possible.
-State your opinion and your
specific request within the first few sentences.
-Demonstrate respect and courtesy,
even if you are vehemently opposed to the policymaker's views.
-Avoid educational jargon. It can
make your message sound confusing, distracted, or elitist.
-Include your address on the
letter
-Have someone else proofread the
letter
-If you have any personal
association with policymakers, remind them. Nothing is
more effective in
getting a policymaker's attention.
