PTA and Arts in Education Week

Well, I am guessing by now we have all returned to school and the summer break has come to an end. I know that here in the Saylors household my two sons are excited to get back with their friends.

As we start this new school year we will be honoring a number of mile stones in education.

The first is “Arts in Education Week” which will be held on the week of September 12-18, 2010. This is a new recognition program within our schools and was sponsored by Representative Jackie Speier of CA, along with over 100 co-sponsors in Congress. The rally came from PTA friend and Broadway legend Carol Channing who has been working to see that the Arts are still honored throughout our country, and our schools. Carol, along with her husband Harry, were with state and national PTA leaders at our recent National Governance Retreat where they both spoke on the importance of arts in education.
(Dr. Carol Channing and husband Harry addressing National Governance Retreat Aug. 2010)
Our friends at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have also joined the cause making this a global event. Alice Hixson, Hope Matthews and Jim Hashman are all leading the charge around the globe to help see that the children of our service personnel are involved as well.

We all know that studying the arts; visual, music or written; is a great way to help increase critical thinking in our students. Skills like problem solving and creativity are all connected to the arts, so why not support this cause? This is why PTA is so appreciative of the efforts of Representative Speier and Dr. Channing for keeping the subject of arts in education alive.

Take a look at this exciting video, Dr. Channing and her friends put together to support arts in education

Carol Channing & Friends for the Arts – ChanningArts.org

As we start “Arts in Education Week” please help us make sure that every student has the Arts as part of their educational experience. Start now planning your Reflections program. Start planning today and above all, have fun!