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Music, Art & Science at Margate's AWE
• In support of inspiring young minds
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Tuesday,
June 2, 2009
To attend the 3rd Annual Arts & Sciences Showcase at Margate’s Atlantic West Elementary is to live every parent’s dream: see your children sing and dance, relish in their artwork and watch them explore scientific realms.
Hundreds of parents and teachers looked on while the AWE Soaring Eagle Chorus, comprised of students in grades 2 through 5, performed classics to Calypso, throwing their hands in the air, twisting, shouting and bopping their bodies to a boogie beat.
“Parents are in awe of what their kids are accomplishing tonight,” said AWE science teacher, Terry Marcello.
The energetic chorus performance, which included a song in sign language, was just one aspect of an evening filled with surprises. Walls in the school were plastered with student artwork, parents and kids collaborated on projects and Margate City Commissioner, Joe Varsallone, expressed his appreciation to AWE faculty and staff for their hard work and diligence in making the night a success.
Diversity was a driving force behind the Showcase, evident in the multitude of art themes displayed throughout the school and prevalent in the way kids from all backgrounds worked together to create a cohesive production.
“The boys and girls put the whole show together by themselves,” said Chorus Director, Dessalines Ford.
Arts & Music under fire
Although the science curriculum at AWE is under little threat from budget cuts – art and music aren’t so lucky. There is a looming, if not eerie, cloud hovering over these curriculums in public schools across America, as administrators are given the unpleasant task of telling parents and faculty that programs are cut, and teachers wait to see who is going to be the next to pack their locker.
At AWE, administrators, teachers and parents agree that art and music shouldn’t be cut from their school, but their opinion, some say, is falling on deaf ears. Higher ups, such as Broward County Superintendent of Schools, James Notter, may have been gone too long from the front lines of education and are out-of-touch with how vital art and music are to the cultural and academic growth of children.
Email Notter now to voice your opinion.
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Legendary educator, Horace Mann, believed that music and art were essential to young students in the development of aesthetic appreciation, citizenship and thinking.
What do students at AWE believe?
Comments range from Julia Murphy’s “It makes me feel proud when we sing together” to Abigail Simpson-Givens, “It made me feel so proud of myself and inspired me to be better.”
Pride was one objective in allowing students to choose what artwork went on display for the Showcase and what songs they’d like to sing. Other objectives included heightened self-esteem and confidence, and learning about how art and music play into critical thinking and personal and social enrichment.
What is the rationale behind slashing art and music from the curriculum?
In Broward County public schools, art and music are classified as ‘specials’ – or noncore subjects – and are not measured by the FCATs. As such, they are considered first for the chopping block when budget cuts come around.
In disagreement with this philosophy is AWE Art Teacher, Mindy Agress, and others who insist that art and music are at the foundations of science, reading, writing and arithmetic.
Looking at the research, they may be right.
According to popular youth website, youthnoise.com, too many of the positive impacts of art education get overlooked by keepers of educational budgets.
Students who participate in art and music programs are:
Four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
Three times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
Four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
Three times more likely to win an award for school attendance
Four times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
When compared with their peers, young artists:
Attend music, art and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
Perform community service more than four times as often
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AWE and other South Florida Schools aren’t the only ones facing budget cuts. Just about every public school system in America is. The question remains: how do we fight to keep these programs in our schools? AWE Principal, Dr. Sharon Moffitt appealed to parents at the Showcase and asked them to please contact their state representatives, senators, congressmen and women and to loudly voice their concern for budget cuts in public schools.
“The importance of the arts and sciences in our school is monumental,” Moffitt said.
View photos and download.
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Copyright Cassius Group 2009
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