| Dear
Alameda County Parents,
Welcome
to 2008! This will be a year full of politics as the presidential election
process unwinds. Let’s make this the year that all our elected officials
also hear from us, the Arts Active Parents. Let’s introduce them
to our children, who are generally far more articulate than adults about
how important art, music, drama, and dance are to them. Let’s be
very clear and very vocal about the essential role of arts learning and
arts integration in preparing tomorrow’s citizens and voters.
Over the last ten years or so, I’ve been privileged to welcome elected
officials and staff to several different schools, both for evening events
and also for daytime tours. I am always amazed at the power of such a
visit, for the official, for the students, for the teachers, and for the
community. I hope you’ll get to experience this yourself this spring,
and following are a few tips.
YOUR
MESSAGE
What do you want to communicate? Write it down so it’s clear in
your own mind. Practice saying it out loud. Prepare a one-sentence version
and a two-minute version.
Once
you’ve crafted your message, be confident of your expertise. It
is not likely that your elected official knows more about the benefits
of arts learning than you do. You also are in a position to describe the
human effects of particular programs or lack of programs. Elected officials
have dozens or hundreds of issues on the “front burner” all
the time. Be clear and articulate about your issue and make it come alive
for them.
YOUR
MEDIUM
Decide how you want to communicate, and pick at least two paths in. For
example, you may wish to write a fax or email articulating a particular
point of view, and at the same time extend an invitation to a concert
or parent meeting. Or you may wish to call the official’s office,
speak with a staff member, and make an appointment for a group from your
school to visit the office and present an opinion, petition, or student
performance. Whenever you personally meet with an official or staff member,
give them a packet of information they can keep. Don’t try to overwhelm
them with every relevant piece you can find, but instead carefully choose
or create a few pieces that can be watched or read in a few minutes. When
you write a followup note to thank them for the meeting, refer to something
in the kit.
In matters of social change as well as politics, influence is incremental.
Hearing from a single constituent, attending one event, hearing from staff
about a single visit from a parent group -- none of this makes a lot of
difference. Getting an elected official on campus is no more than a good
start. Hearing from a hundred constituents, attending six school events
in two years, having visits from several groups with similar ideas - this
kind of persistence and consistency can lead to a change in the thinking
of your elected official, and then a change in policy, and then real systemic
improvement. This is not quick and it is not easy, but it’s how
things can work in a democracy.
YOUR
CONTACT LIST
Cast a wide net. You have elected officials at a number of levels. You
have a school board representative, a city council representative, a mayor,
state and federal senators and assemblymembers, and more. Beyond that,
get creative! Who are the most influential people in your community? Be
imaginative. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Once you’ve
made initial contact, settle on a few responsive people you can communicate
with regularly. Be friendly, but be persistent. If you have a parent group
that is taking this on, make a list and divide up the names. Which particular
elected officials or community leaders are on your “A-list”
may depend on what you are trying to accomplish, and it may depend on
who is responsive to your group.
POLITICS
IS POLITICAL
Most people who aspire to public office do so from a desire to change
the world for the better, but you don’t get elected in America without
paying attention to numbers and choosing public appearances where you
are likely to have the broadest exposure to voters. This is why district-wide
events will be more attractive to some officials than school-specific
events.
To increase the chances of getting public officials to your school, be
clear about what is going to happen and how many voters will know about
it. Describe the size of the school community and how many people will
be present at the event. For a daytime visit to campus, invite a photographer
from your local newspaper and TELL the official you plan to do so. If
the photographer doesn’t come, be prepared to take your own photos
and send them to the newspapers. This kind of exposure is good for the
politician; it can also be very good for your school.
Finally,
many elected officials have staff members whose job it is to interact
with the local community. If you invite a senator and get a staff member,
don’t be disappointed. Think about the staff member as the ears
and eyes of the official, and welcome them exactly as you would their
employers.
JOIN
THE MOVEMENT
I personally am very interested in keeping track of all your work in this
area. If you have interaction with an elected official, would you just
drop me an email and tell me about it? I’d also love photos if you
document your meeting that way. Let’s see how many senators, assemblymembers,
mayors, city council and school board members we can engage in the Art
IS Education movement this spring.
Best
wishes and happy advocating!
-KATHY KAHN,
Arts Active Parent Coordinator
|
PARENTS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
BRINGING POLICYMAKERS ON CAMPUS
Below,
Hayward parent volunteer Suzanne Gayle (third from left) invited a number
of local dignitaries to be judges for the PTA “Reflections”
Art Show at Stonehurst Elementary School, including Hayward Mayor
Mike Sweeney (between the two judges who are holding artwork.)
Below,
OUSD School Board Representative Kerry Hamill (left)
with PTSA President and Performing Arts Committee member Katrina Brekke-Miesner
at Oakland Technical High School’s fall play, the August Wilson
classic “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”
|
FREE
and INEXPENSIVE things to do with your kids in January 2008
This is just a short list, but there are many, many more things going
on this month. Check with your library, school, local non-profits, and
take advantage of the many opportunities for activities in our wonderful
and diverse community. If you have an elementary schooler, check out performances
and events at your local middle school. If your child is in middle school,
make sure you attend everything you can at the high school. Not only will
this make the transition easier, seeing slightly older kids performing
can be very inspirational for the younger ones! (For high school shows,
you should expect to pay a ticket price similar to a movie. This is how
many high schools fund their programs.)
In
Livermore (high school performances are fun for middle and elementary
school students)PRIDE AND PREJUDICE January 11-12 (performances
7 p.m.)
Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE to be performed by Granada High School's
Drama Dept. Tickets sold at the door.
Info, email jzymajtis@livermore.k12.ca.us
In
Berkeley, Luna Kids Dance Free Dance Class/open house
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley
January 12, 1-2:30 -- Free Family Dance Class and Open
House
Free dance, play, improvisation, refreshments and fun with your family!
Meet the Luna Kids Dance faculty and learn more about creative dance.
Grace North Church 2138 Cedar St., Berkeley
January 14, 5-5:45 -- Free Modern Dance Improvisation
Class (7-10 yr olds)
Luna Kids Dance's unique approach to dance education extends beyond motor
development supporting children to be dance makers. Children have fun,
experiencing dance through active participation, guided discovery and
critical reflection. Experience a sample class, meet the teacher, and
find out more about modern dance.
Info, visit http://www.lunakidsdance.com/
In
Oakland (high school performances are fun for middle and elementary
school students)
Dance concert, January 17-19, 7:30 p.m.
Skyline High School's well-known Dance Production troupe presents their
popular annual winter concert. Student-choreographed in a variety of styles.
Tickets sold at the door.
Skyline High, 25550 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
In
Berkeley Habitot Children's Museum has special theme days, some
free
Info, http://www.habitot.org/
Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley
1/18: A Day with the Dentist
1/23: Let It Snow
2/2: Groundhog Day
Habitot Children's Museum is the East Bay's award-winning hands-on discovery
museum for young children. More than 650,000 people have enjoyed the museum's
interactive exhibits, art programs and classes since its opening in 1998.
Not just a place to entertain young children, Habitot provides resources
and support for early childhood learning, parenting success, and community
connection.
In
Oakland (probably most interesting for older kids)
Told From a Totem: Student Sculptures Exhibition closes 1/31/2008
Oakland High School students in the Visual Arts Academy
present their exhibition of contemporary urban totems.
Oakland Museum of California First Floor Student Art Gallery
1000 Oak Street
http://www.museumca.org
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