Dear Alameda County Parents,

At this time of year, with the weather warming up and just a few weeks of the academic year left, many schools see a little extra energy from parent volunteers. Just this last weekend alone, there were dozens of events all over the county involving parents: Campus clean-up days, garden-plantings, student art exhibitions, fundraisers, performances, poetry readings, and planning retreats. (See photos to the right.) At this point in the year, the channels of communication are working well, parents have learned to feel comfortable on campus, everyone seems to know everyone else, and a lot gets done.

Soon, schools will close and summer routines settle in. Then just as we're getting used to that, the 2007-08 school year will begin, and parent groups will start over building momentum for a new year. Gradually parent leaders' email lists and phone directories will grow, people will come back to committees, energy will build again, and new projects will be conceived.

The most successful and energetic parent groups, of course, have learned to accelerate that warm-up process in the fall. Registration events, parent organizing meetings, and back-to-school nights all provide opportunities to talk with school staff and other parents about what really matters to you, and to find other Arts Active Parents who will work with you toward our shared vision of quality arts learning for every child, in every school, every day.

A school year has rhythms of its own, but parents who are passionate about accomplishing something special have a tremendous advantage if they can keep momentum going from one year to the next. If you have a plan by September, you're a lot more likely to accomplish it next year.

Our June 9 workshop, titled "The Role of the Arts Active Parent: How To Start An Arts Revolution At Your School" is designed to give you the information and advocacy tools that will make you a more powerful voice for arts learning starting immediately. When school starts in August, you will already have the knowledge and contacts you need to make things happen. This two-hour Saturday morning event will acquaint you with the landscape of arts learning in our county, including some basic information about state standards, district arts master plans, and funding. You will also hear from Honorable Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan, an Arts Active Parent whose passion for equitable education was the original impetus for her to run for the Oakland School Board. In three terms on the school board starting in 1990, Jean led the effort that resulted in the restoration of art and music to city schools. And you'll hear from a panel of parents who have been successful advocating for arts at their own schools, and have a chance to ask questions about how they did it.

Best of all, this two-hour workshop will take place at the Oakland Museum of California as part of the June 8-10 Oakland Youth Arts Festival there. Saturday the 9th is Free Admission Day to the museum, and I would like to warmly invite you to start that day with a little education and inspiration at our workshop for Arts Active Parents.

For a great in-depth introduction to the concept of arts integration by Eric Booth, one of America's foremost experts in arts learning, attend a May 14 workshop, Fostering Creative Engagement Through Habits of Mind. This professional development workshop is designed for educators but is open to the public, and is a wonderful opportunity for Arts Active Parents to learn some of the terminology and the concepts that drive the "new world" approach to arts learning. Preregistration is required, and there is a fee. For a registration form, visit www.artiseducation.org.

In May, I encourage you to attend all the exhibits and performances at your child's school, as well as the school your child will attend next! Our high school visual and performing arts programs have lively schedules this time of year, and visiting a high school campus to see an exhibit or a show is a memorable experience for a younger child. It's a great time of year for Arts Active Families to celebrate all the creative learning that culminates in these May concerts and events.
I hope to see many of you at the Oakland Museum on June 9! -KATHY KAHN

Parents Making a Difference:
Those Faithful Volunteers!

Above and below, these parents are making final preparations for the Sequoia Elementary School Multicultural Festival, Potluck, and Silent Auction. Sequoia Elementary is one of OUSD's Arts Learning Anchor Schools, and has a lively parent group supporting the school in many ways.

Below, these parents from the Skyline PTSA High Performing Arts Committee help clean and repair and maintain the performing space at Skyline on twice-yearly Theater Work Days. The 976-seat Rawley T. Farnsworth Theater on the Skyline campus was renovated by this committee several years ago, but keeping a performance facility clean and inviting is an ongoing project that requires continuing community support.

FREE IN JUNE (especially for parents)

THE ROLE OF THE ARTS ACTIVE PARENT:
How To Start An Arts Revolution At Your School
Saturday, June 9 - 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Oakland Museum of California (Lecture Hall)
1000 Oak St., Oakland
Find out how to be a more powerful advocate for arts learning and all its benefits. Learn the language of arts education -- what to ask for, who to ask, and how to help. You will leave this workshop inspired, but also equipped, to start the 07-08 school year as a strong and knowledgeable arts advocate. By working together, all the Arts Active Parents at your school can accomplish great things.
Hear from:
- Honorable Jean Quan, Oakland City Council President
Pro Tempore and long-time Arts Active Parent
- A panel of arts active parent leaders from Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville schools who will tell about their challenges and successes in supporting arts learning at their kids' schools and in their communities. Hear their stories and ask questions!

This is a free event, but please pre-register so we can plan materials. A supervised arts activity will be provided for children 4 and older. Please let us know if you will be bringing a child or children.

RSVP to aparents (at) artiseducation (dot) org or artsactiveparent (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Above, Arts Active Parent Leadership Council Meeting in November, 2006. Arts Active Parent events are a great way to meet parent leaders from other schools and develop ideas and contacts that will support the work you are doing at your own kids' school.

FREE IN JUNE (for everyone!)

Oakland Youth Arts Festival June 8-10
Arts Learning in Oakland Schools... Made Visible!
Performances and Outdoor Visual Art Gallery all weekend

Friday, June 8, 6-8 p.m. -- Opening Reception & Speakers

Saturday, June 9
9:30-11:30 a.m. -- Arts Active Parent Workshop (details to left)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Free admission to all Museum Galleries, Drumming, Live Mural Making, Local videos!

Sunday, June 10, 12-4 p.m. -- Family Day in the Art Studio: Young Students Teach Parents, more

BE PART OF THE FESTIVAL STAFF!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for setting up every day Friday through Sunday, and breaking down on Monday.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to be trained as greeters, festival guides, and docents.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Oakland Youth Arts Festival, please contact Carolyn S. Carr at carolyn (at) ousdarts (dot) org or 510.384.5742 and let her know what days and times you are available.