March is called Art IS Education Month to remind our community that Art IS Education.  What makes arts learning uniquely important to our schools is its role as both a set of skills-based core subjects (music, dance, painting, etc.) as well as a path to learning other core subjects (e.g. reading and math).  All humans are drawn to art and creation in some way, and it is through these activities that our children develop some of their most important tools as students:  Critical thinking, problem solving, planning and changing plans, self expression, goal setting, working with others, working independently.  We need the arts in all our classrooms to provide every single child with a high quality education that prepares the next generation to take part in a future that is good for everyone.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
TWO SUGGESTIONS FOR FEBRUARY
1- Advocate at the State Level
You probably are aware that Governor Schwarzenegger has included an increase of $100 million for art and music programs in his 2006-07 proposed budget.  This is a very welcome turn of events, and we can hope it signals a shift in priorities that will benefit all Californians.  The proposed increase is for grades K-8 exclusively, and represents approximately $20 per child.

It is very important that Arts Active Parents make their voices heard.  Write or email or call the Governor and your representatives to the State Legislature.  Urge them to keep this increase in the final budget and point out that this represents a good start toward equitable education in the arts, but much more needs to be done at the federal, state, and local levels.  Since the Governor's budget summary itself states that arts education "has beneficial effects on cognitive development and educational outcomes," it appears that the State of California has joined the call for arts education as a simple matter of equity.  Our voices as parents and voters is more important than ever.  This month is a good time to remind all your elected officials at every level that you support high quality arts education as the best way to achieve a healthier, more equitable society.

For more information, and to join an email list to receive updates, visit the California Alliance for Arts Education at <http://www.artsed411.org>.  Another excellent site for information about the proposed budget and how to be an advocate for arts education is the California Arts Council, <http://www.cac.ca.gov>.

2 - Get involved in your own school's plans for Art IS Education month.  If your school's event isn't listed on our website, simply visit http://www.artiseducation.org and post it, so the world will know what your school is doing.  The Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership is hosting a FREE technical support session to help you put your own event information in our beautifully designed March 2006 poster, and walk away with a cd file to print at your local copy shop or school!  Just come to the Alliance meeting on February 7, 4-5:30 p.m., at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 Winton Avenue in Hayward. Come with your information and if you have it a digital image, the rest will be supplied.  For questions, contact Art IS Education Coordinator Stephanie Juno at 510-670-4186.

PARENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
TILDEN SCHOOL IN OAKLAND
Tilden is a small school for children ages 3 through third grade, serving special needs children as well mainstream children.  As one of 13 Arts Anchor Schools in Oakland, Tilden has a strong commitment to arts learning, and staff members work with MOCHA and Luna Kids Dance to bring arts education into their classrooms every day.  Pictured is Parent-Child Art Learning Night in January, when parents came to the school to see their kids' work, but also to participate themselves in visual art and dance. 

FREE AND INEXPENSIVE ARTS ACTIVITIES
FOR FAMILIES IN FEBRUARY

OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS JAZZ FESTIVAL THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9
Farnsworth Theater at Skyline High School, 12250 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
Free Public Performance 7 p.m., All are welcome.
This annual event is a must-see for anyone who is interested in music programs in public schools.  Jazz bands and choirs from several traditional high schools and middle schools in the Oakland Unified School District join with professional jazz musicians including Dan Zinn (sax), William Mitchell (trumpet), Pat Klovas (bass), Wayne Wallace (trombone) for an afternoon of instruction and rehearsal, which culminates in a free public performance for the community.  The kids who participate never forget the experience, and attending this performance has inspired more than one elementary schooler to stick with music in middle school and high school!

HABITOT CHILDRENÕS MUSEUM has free events which are made possible by corporate sponsors. For details, visit their website at <http://www.habitot.org/hab/events.htm>.  Habitot is a hands on discovery and learning museum designed for children 6 and younger currently located at 2065 Kittredge in Berkeley.  (A planned move to a larger facility will allow them to add activities for older kids in the future.) Here is a list of free activities in February:
THURSDAYS in February (Feb 2, 9, 16, 23) 5:30-6:30 _ Enjoy live music by Guy GashÕs Sharp Five Jazz Band in celebration of Black History Month. Experiment with chalk and watercolors on the community banner.  Admission is free 3-7 p.m.
SUNDAY February 12 _ Derique the Clown will explain the historical role of Black Minstrel clowns in a Òone-clownÓ show 3-4 p.m. Create sparkle scratch artwork.  Admission is free 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
SATURDAY February 25 _ Mardi Gras celebration including hands on steel drums, parades, and live music by the Californian Cajuns 3-5 p.m. Make a Mardi Gras mask from recycled materials!  Admission is free 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

FREE LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
Many of us remember the magic of libraries when we were kids, but we may not remember what a great resource it is for finding activities for our own kids.  Visit <http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/Calendar.html> to see a long list of free art, music, and literature activities taking place at the many branches of the Oakland Public Library.  (Scroll past the adult section to find teen and kidsÕ activities ranging from knitting to book clubs to dance shows to story hours.)

Other public libraries with kids programs that may be closer to you:
Alameda -- <http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/library/child_resources.html>
Berkeley -- <http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/kids/event_index.html>
Castro Valley -- <http://www.aclibrary.org/branches/csv/childrensservices.asp>
Hayward _ <http://www.hayward-ca.gov/webware/Default.aspx?Message=1271&t=-1>
Pleasanton -- <http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/library/programs-and-events.html>

If you donÕt see your local library listed, give them a call or check their website for free childrenÕs programs.
 

ALAMEDA COUNTY
ALLIANCE FOR ARTS LEARNING LEADERSHIP
For information about the Alameda County Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership, how it supports arts education in public schools, and how you can get involved, visit <http://www.artiseducation.org>.  If you're a leader in a parent group that helps to support arts programs, we invite you list your group by following the "Post Your Resources" link.

This newsletter is also produced in a hardcopy format.  I want to provide copies to any parent group or parent resource center I can. If you have a meeting coming up, or a place where parent come, please just let me know how many copies you would like and where and when I can drop them off.  

If you have comments about this newsletter or suggestions for future content, please reply to this email. We are interested in hearing from parents of kids all over the county, in all kinds of schools, about your successes and challenges in supporting arts learning in your school.  If you know someone who should be receiving this newsletter, please forward it to them so they can reply and be added to the list.