ARTS ACTIVE PARENT
November 1, 2006 Volume 2, Issue 3
Monthly Newsletter of the Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership
Alameda County Office of
Education Sheila Jordan, Superintendent |
| Dear Alameda County Parents,
As parents we know we can change our own kids’ schools for
the better. By joining together, we can also create a regional voice
that helps change all schools for the better. When you improve your
child’s school, or when you choose a particular school for
your child based on the opportunities it offers, you have done something
good for your child. But until all children, especially those without
strong parent advocates, have the same opportunities to learn in
the ways that are best for them, we haven’t done all we can
to create an equitable society that is good for everyone.
This is an exciting time
for arts learning in the public schools. Many states, including
our own, have recognized the importance of arts education by establishing
standards and earmarking special funding to support teaching in
the arts. Thirty years of compelling research shows that children
who learn in and through the arts are more successful in all areas
of their lives. Most of us believe arts education is essential;
In fact, in a 2005 Harris poll about Americans’ attitudes
towards arts education found that 93% agree the arts are vital to
providing a well-rounded education for children, and over half rated
the importance of arts education a “ten” on a scale
of one to ten. Now is a good time for us to work together toward
our shared vision of a high quality education for every child, in
every school, every day.
You
are cordially invited to a meeting where you can meet like-minded
people and begin talking about what we Arts Active Parents might
accomplish regionally. It is free and everyone is welcome:
November 30, 6-8 p.m.
Arts Active Parent Leadership Council
Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc.
3278 West Street, Oakland
First meeting ever, everyone welcome, child care and dinner
provided by California College of the Arts/Center for Art and
Public Life. Please RSVP aparents@artiseducation.org
or Kathy at 510-482-5776.
Help plan how Arts Active Parents can make a difference in our
community and our world. Download a printable flyer in English
or Spanish. |
|
PARENTS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
ALAMEDA'S CIRCUS FOR ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS
What
started out as a casual schoolyard conversation between a
few parents has become an annual community event and fundraiser
for arts education in the Alameda public schools. On October
1st, the 3rd Annual Circus for Arts in the Schools was held
at Kofman Auditorium in Alameda filling the auditorium with
2,000 people. The Circus is the brainchild of Jeff Raz whose
son attends fourth grade at Paden Elementary School. For the
past three years, Raz who is a professional clown currently
with Cirque du Soleil, has assembled shows of some of the
best acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and musicians in the world,
who freely donate their time and talent to this worthy cause.
The
Circus for Arts in the Schools has drawn on the talents and
energy of many parents who assume the roles of performers,
producers, stage manager, sound engineer, graphic designer,
webmaster, promoter, and ticket sales.
Since
its inception, the Circus has raised over $50,000 through
ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, including a principal
sponsorship this year from Alameda’s Toy Safari, owned
by a former Paden parent. For more information about the Circus,
visit www.circusforarts.org.
(This
article by Pam Arneson. Photo by Sam Huie.)
|
Paden
School parent Jeff Raz performs at Circus for Arts in the
Schools, an annual fundraiser for arts education in the Alameda
public schools. |
|
| FREE AND INEXPENSIVE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN NOVEMBER |
| FREE
Creative Reuse Art Contest and Exhibition
Presented by MOCHA & The City of Oakland Public Works Division
Nov 3-5, noon-5 p.m. Artwork Drop-off
Nov 10, 5:30-7:30 Artists Reception
Nov 10-Dec 17 Public Exhibition
435 Water Street in Jack London Square, Oakland
To receive complete contest entry information and forms contact
MOCHA @ (510) 465-8770 x 310
www.mocha.org / rae@mocha.org
FREE
Creative Reuse Workshop , November 4, 1-4pm
MOCHA artists lead children (K-12) in creating artworks from waste
and scrap materials, that can be entered into the Creative Reuse
contest and learn more about waste reduction through the 4 Rs (Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle and Rot).
For more information visit
www.mocha.org or call (510) 465-8770
x 310
FREE
with the donation of a children’s book – Clowning &
Circus Capers
Sunday Nov 5 11:00-12:30
Circus workshop designed for families, all ages and levels, sponsored
by Target®.
Berkeley Rep School of Theatre at the Nevo Education Center, 2071
Addison Street in downtown Berkeley. For more information please
e-mail emulroney@berkeleyrep.org
or call 510.647.2973.
FREE
Admission Days at Habitot
Thursday Nov 2 9:30-7:00 Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) Celebration
sponsored by Mechanics Bank.
Tuesday Nov 9, 9:30-5:00 Let’s Go Vote Day sponsored by Wells
Fargo.
Habitot Children's Museum 2065 Kittredge Street (one block from
Downtown Berkeley BART)
Details and information at http://www.habitot.org/.
|
FREE
– Boilerroom Art Gallery Opening at Arroyo High
Nov 21 through Dec 1, 3:30-6:00 p.m. Arroyo High School Room S-3,
15701 Lorenzo Ave, San Lorenzo.
In celebration of Day of the Dead and Hispanic Heritage Month the
Art classes are creating Day of the Dead themed art projects for
display and sale in the student run Boilerroom Art Gallery.
For info email Jbaughman@slzusd.org.
FREE
– Mary Helen Wagner’s Retrospective Exhibit
Nov 16 through the new year. Reception Sat Nov. 18th, 1-4pm. Sun
Gallery, 1015 E Street, Hayward . Check website for information
and hours, http://www.sungallery.org
AFFORDABLE
– Splash Circus: Little Nemo in Circusland
Thanksgiving weekend November 24-26, and December 1-3
Follow comic character Liitle Nemo in search of adventure. Plus
trapeze, juggling and acrobatics, tight wire and a new aerial act,
the cloud swing. Projections of McCay's early animation accompany
the live performance. Friday Nov. 24 show is at 7 pm. All other
shows are 2 pm matinees. Tickets are $8 to $14. Discounts for advance
tickets. Call 925-798-1300. Julia
Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue in Berkeley
AFFORDABLE
– First Stage Children’s Theatre: The Month Maker’s
Magic
November 28, 7:30 pm
An old Slavic tale comes to life in this performance by First Stage's
8 to 11 year old actors. Tickets $5, at the door only. Julia
Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue in Berkeley
|
| 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 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 have them email me.
Very best wishes,
Kathy Kahn, Arts Active Parent Coordinator
Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership
Alameda County Office Of Education
1890 Leimert Blvd., Oakland 94602
510-482-5776
ArtsActiveParents@artiseducation.org
We gratefully acknowledge the Walter and Elise
Haas Fund for sponsoring the Arts Learning Parent Involvement
Project to create stronger ties between homes and schools
around the arts.
|
| The
8-year old Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership has attracted
much attention and funding to Alameda County by providing a
way for many organizations to work together, with their combined
strength, for the same goals. This star illustrates the different
communities that make up the Alliance. This year, many factors
ranging from extra state funding to site based management of
schools has made the “parents and families” arm
of the star much more powerful. |
|
|
