Dear Alameda County Parents,

Not very long ago, I was a parent volunteer, focused primarily on my sons' school. Now my work takes me into many schools, and one of my great pleasures is seeing the different gifts that parents bring to their own unique campus communities. In the last few days, I've had a couple of experiences with parent groups that touched me deeply and made me think about the power of the behavior we model for our children. These events were very different, but they both go to the heart of what makes an Arts Active Parent.

Oakland's Peralta Elementary School suffered a shocking tragedy when their beautiful school facility suffered extensive damage in a fire on March 26. If you have ever visited Peralta, you know that it was itself a work of art, with paintings and murals on every wall and a lovingly maintained courtyard garden that spilled out around the school to create a joyous and vibrant learning environment. Luckily, no one was physically hurt in the fire and the school was not completely destroyed, but it suffered great damage and is not expected to re-open this school year. Since the school community strongly wanted to stay together, they moved this weekend to the campus of the former Carter Middle School, temporarily empty.

As you might imagine, the unused campus needed some extensive work, and dozens of Peralta parent volunteers as well as community members and parents from other schools were happy to give their time to paint, plant, and spruce up the place. Thanks to these many volunteers, the campus was ready to welcome the Peralta community only a wek after the fire, complete with the signature Peralta vibrant colors, art, and flowering plants.

The other event was a "work party" of another kind, a fundraiser to help rebuild the performing arts programs at Oakland Technical High School. The tragedy at Tech was just as great, but much slower. Decades ago, Oakland Tech had great performing arts programs, but gradually they slipped away, and since it wasn't a "magnet" or "academy" arts school, when hard times came it became easy to entirely do away with music, drama, and dance there. In recent years, there has been a new determination, by parents and staff alike, to rebuild these programs. Parents there recognize the many benefits that teenagers derive from these performance disciplines, and know that to be a truly great school, Oakland Tech must find a place for the arts among other academic subjects.

The Oakland Tech fundraiser was to premiere Exposition, the new documentary they have made about their project, and also offered an opportunity for student performance and heartfelt conversation about the difference that performing arts programs have made in the lives of the young people there.

When we give our children rich arts experiences in and out of school, we are really trying to help them develop some of the personal qualities that parents at Peralta and Tech have demonstrated so well this week. When our children face problems in their lives and the world around them, we hope they will be able to see what is, imagine what is possible, and join with others to make a better world.

We know we can't entirely shield our children from the negative events of their lives. No matter how carefully we protect and nurture them, they will experience tragedy and grief, they will confront problems and challenges, and they will always live in an imperfect world. All we can do is try to give them the skills that can help them respond as problem-solvers, not problem citizens. My children are young adults now, and I have no greater wish for them than the kind of courage, optimism, and resilience I saw this week in the Peralta and Oakland Tech communities. Kids who are taught to think creatively are more likely to become adults who solve problems. Kids who are part of something larger than themselves, especially something of beauty, are more likely to respond constructively to the negative issues of the world. Children who have Arts Active Parents and go to Arts Active Schools are much more likely to turn into the kinds of adults who will make us proud by making the world a better place.
-KATHY KAHN

Above, firefighters struggle to save Peralta Elementary School. Below, the dad of a future Peralta Elementary School kindergartner helps make the Carter campus welcoming for the current students.

Firefighter photo by Michael Adel. Rock band photo by David Kahn. Other photos by Kathy Kahn.

Parents Making a Difference:
Oakland's Peralta Elementary
and Oakland Technical High School

Peralta Elementary is grateful to all the parents and others from their own school and the community at large, who are helping to prepare their temporary campus as well as making contributions to their "Peralta Rising" fund. In the photo below, Peralta parent volunteers check the list of needs to choose a job.

	Above and left, Chabot Elementary School parents volunteer with the Peralta Parent Teacher Group, cleaning the windows in the former Carter Middle School library. Notice the shelves just beginning to be filled. Below, two days later, a parent crew has brightened up the space and filled more shelves.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to PERALTA RISING: RENEW, REBUILD, REGROW, visit the school website at www.peraltaschool.org. The website lists other needs as well, with a wish list and volunteer opportunities. Teachers and children who would like to run a "Pennies for Peralta" campaign should contact the school or send an email to info@peraltaschool.org. To read more about Peralta's history as a model arts school, visit www.artiseducation.org/07Peralta/Peralta.htm.