Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
2/29/2024 - 6:00 PM  
Category:
Instruction & Program - Votes  
Type:
Action  
Subject:
18.3 Arts in Our Schools Month 2024 Proclamation  
Strategic Plans:
Priority 3.1
3.1 Communicate a shared vision and plan for developing, supporting, and sustaining positive culture and climate in all classrooms, schools, and departments across the district.
Priority 3.2
3.2 Implement processes and practices to infuse a collaborative, equity-driven, and responsive culture and promote communication and trust throughout the system.
 
Enclosure:
 
File Attachment:
 
Summary:
Whereas, March is widely known as “Arts in Our Schools Month,” an annual celebration originally proclaimed by the U.S. Department of Education, that highlights the accomplishments of students in dance, music, theater and the visual arts nationwide. March has also been designated by the National Dance Education Organization as “Dance in Our Schools Month,” by the National Association for Music Education as “Music in our Schools Month,” by the National Theatre Association as “Theatre in Our Schools Month,”; and by the Council for Art Education as “Youth Art Month,” and

WHEREAS, the mission of the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Visual and Performing Arts is “To empower students to develop creative and critical thinking, social-emotional competencies, and intellectual and expressive abilities that will allow them to become active, contributing members of a global society, ” and

WHEREAS, a well-designed sequential arts program promotes responsible decision making, enhances self-awareness, builds self-esteem and self-management skills, and helps students build relationship and collaboration skills; all of which are essential to prepare New Jersey students for postsecondary success, and

WHEREAS, Arts Education contributes to student’s development through heightened skills in listening, creative problem solving, adapting to and respecting others’ diverse ways of thinking, communicating effectively as well as analyzing nonverbal communication, reading, self-expression, imagination, creativity; and

WHEREAS, Arts Education innovatively ignites and engages learners personally and enhances the social and emotional morale as well as the quality of all students and all school cultures by helping develop self-confidence, boost self-reliance, and increase empathy and compassion towards one’s self and others; and

WHEREAS, all students participating in arts education courses benefit from the skills and processes developed through the arts and apply those skills in a variety of disciplines and settings no matter their intended career path; and

WHEREAS, the Newark Board of Education and the Office of Visual and Performing Arts will stay committed to ensuring students have access to sequential learning in the arts; sustain district-wide exhibits and performances that showcase student artistic excellence, collaboration amongst their peers, and engagement with the community. Such programs include Young Artists, All City Music, All City Dance, Teen Arts Annual, and High School Vocal Jubilee; and

WHEREAS, the Newark Board of Education recognizes the contributions of Visual and Performing Arts Educators, and are committed to their continuous professional development, and providing the supports and materials that they may authentically engage students in artistic creation processes, and

WHEREAS, the arts are everywhere in our lives, adding depth and dimension to the environment we live in, and shaping our experience daily; and

WHEREAS, Arts Education is essential for all students in Newark as part of a well-rounded education; and

WHEREAS, the Newark Board of Education support the purposes and practices of arts education and encourages school leaders, teachers, parents, students, and all citizens to participate. The Newark Board of Education for its own part rededicates itself to the preservation of arts education programs to inspire every Newark Public School student to discover and achieve their highest creative potential.
 
Funding :
No cost to the District  
Recommendation to the Board
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Newark Board of Education do hereby proclaim the observance of Arts in Our Schools Month during the month of March 2024. Done this Thursday, February 29, 2024.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Jennifer Killeen - Supervisor
Signed By:  
Margaret El - Special Assistant
Signed By:  
Roger León - Superintendent
 
Vote Results:

Original Motion
Member Josephine Garcia Moved, Member Kanileah Anderson seconded to approve the Original motion 'NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Newark Board of Education do hereby proclaim the observance of Arts in Our Schools Month during the month of March 2024. Done this Thursday, February 29, 2024.'. Upon a Roll-Call Vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 8 Nay: 0.
The motion Carried 8 - 0
   
Josephine Garcia     Yes
Dawn Haynes     Yes
Hasani Council     Yes
Vereliz Santana     Yes
Daniel Gonzalez     Yes
Crystal Williams     Yes
Allison K. James-Frison     Yes
Kanileah Anderson     Yes