Keep Schools COOL As The Summer Heats Up!
A Letter From Executive Director Charles Washburn
Posted Wednesday July 11 2012 at 10:14 am.
Used tags: art, charles_washburn, education, inclusive, kids, student
Dear Blog Reader,
As the summer starts to heat up I am happy to reflect on the successful introduction of our COOL Schools program! The name comes from our belief that inclusion happens best when schools have a Creative Outlook On Learning. Through the unique power of the arts, student abilities are revealed and school communities transform.
Sheila’s story says it all. She was beaming as she walked on stage in front of her peers and family as she received the VSA MA Student of the Month award. Typically a very introverted student, her teachers saw her thrive while participating in our COOL music program. Just a few years ago, students like Sheila in the autism program at Adams Elementary School rarely interacted with the other students or had the opportunity to participate in school-wide events. Thanks to the vision of their principal and support for COOL, the school is increasing opportunities for learning and inclusion of all their students through the arts.
"Our students with autism were exposed to several art forms and performed for their parents and school community. These performances have helped boost their self-confidence and willingness to try new, challenging activities. The staff has been able to see that our students with autism could perform and learn a new art form just like our non-disabled students can." - Margarita Ruiz, Principal of the Adams School.
With your support, many more students can enjoy the success that comes from having a Creative Outlook On Learning. Since COOL focuses mainly on integrating the arts with English Language Arts, each person who contributes to VSA MA before July 31st will be entered into a raffle to win a book from our summer reading list: "the dot" by Peter H. Reynolds and "The Blind Advantage" by Bill Henderson.
Sincerely,
Charles J. Washburn
Executive Director
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