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The Message from AEI
April 2009
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Greetings!
Spring brings flowers, green grass, and art shows around the state. We hope that your school is hosting an event that showcases the works of your young artists. May your show be well-attended, easy to set up and take down, and the highlight of your school year.
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Regents' Requirements
From the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
Reports have reached the Alliance of high school students' difficulties/inabilities to take arts courses they had planned to take after, scheduling the courses required by the Regents for college entrance. If you would like to read what those requirements are, click here.
Recently, Ronda Sternhagen from AEI, David Law from IMEA, and Diane Franken, Executive Director of the IAAE met with Regents representatives to communicate our concerns. The representatives listened and said that they would be looking at "hard data" probably beginning this summer as to how the requirements were working.
WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? We need statistical, hard data as to the negative repercussions of the new Regents' requirements in your school or district, i.e.
___ % of our eight graders (at...Public Schools) say they could not fit band into their schedule because of the courses required by the Regents.
___% of our eleventh graders (at ...Community School District), according to our guidance counselor's figures, could not fit a visual arts course into their schedule because of the Regents' requirements.
PLEASE SEND ANY SPECIFIC NUMERICAL DATA TO Diane Franken AT: iaaedf@mchsi.com or...
Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, 1610 Prospect Terrace, Davenport, Iowa 52803
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You are invited...
All-State Art Team Reception
 Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 2:00 PM Reception at Grand View's New Art Gallery More info...
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NAEA Convention
Making Connections
Though the NAEA Convention in Minneapolis is just a memory now, there are some excellent resources still available. Iowa teachers were stellar presenters and did well in the big give-away on Monday.
You'll find photos of Iowa Art Educators inseveral places. Here are a few:
See NAEA photos
See Iowa NAEA photos
There is a Wiki (place to share information) on the NAEA Convention
site, where you can read articles, view Powerpoint Presentations, print
handouts, see photos of examples, and join in discussions about issues.
Go to the Convention Wiki
AEI President Maggie Parks was involved in the Western Division meetings and the Delegate Assembly at the Convention. Read Maggie's thoughts about the Convention
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Get Involved...
Design a Fundred Dollar Bill
The FUNDRED DOLLAR BILL PROJECT is raising local and national awareness of the hidden problems of lead pollution in New Orleans through the p roduction of "FUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS" - original interpretations of U.S. one hundred dollar bills hand drawn by school children and community members across the U.S.
The FUNDRED template and lesson plans are available for download on this site. The project is appropriate for students of all ages; you can try it too! More info...
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Calling All Teachers
U.S. Cellular's new Calling All Teachers campaign will funnel $1 million into classroom materials and educational experiences for students. Between now and Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8, the wireless company and its 9,000 associates are encouraging teachers to post requests on DonorsChoose.org, a philanthropic Web site that helps public school teachers find money for classroom projects that exceed their limited budgets.
"We have the potential to help thousands of teachers who are already spending about $1,200 out of their own pockets every year on basic student supplies," said Karen Ehlers, vice president of public affairs and communications for U.S. Cellular. "We'll fund as many projects as $1 million allows so we're encouraging all public school teachers to submit their requests."
Iowa teachers have posted requests for projects on DonorsChoose that include dry erase boards for $736, a listening center for $594 and easels for $459. U.S. Cellular associates are spreading word of the campaign to schools around Iowa and will drop into classrooms during Teacher Appreciation Week to surprise selected teachers with the good news that their project was funded. The program is open to all public school teachers in the markets where U.S. Cellular does business.
"Our success comes down to how well we can bring together teachers and donors," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. "When more teachers submit projects, it's more likely there will be a connection with a donor, whether it's a person or a corporation, who says 'I want to help them out.'"
This is the second time this year U.S. Cellular is putting up $1 million to help schools across the country. This new school-focused giving initiative comes on the heels of the company's 2009 Calling All Communities campaign that awarded $1 million to 10 schools.
Last year, U.S. Cellular donated more than $4 million to schools, the United Way and nonprofits that serve its communities, while associates volunteered more than 10,000 hours. In 2008, the company donated more than $290,000 to nonprofit organizations and volunteered 730 hours in Iowa.
For more information about Calling All Teachers, visit www.uscellular.com/callingallteachers or a U.S. Cellular retail store.
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VSA arts of Iowa
Help Wanted 
VSA arts of Iowa are looking for art and music teachers with a Master's Degree to assist in co-teaching the class "Soar With the Arts" this summer. Please e-mail your questions regarding this opportunity to Pat Gantz, Professional Developmetn Coordinator at pat.gantz@iowa.gov or 515.281-3715 or Stephanie Jessen, Executive Director at steph.jessen@iow.gov or 515.281-5839.
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Heard at the NAEA Convention:
"Art gives us the capacity to deal with our lives. Which of the millions of images that enter your eyes will reach your heart and stay there?"
Sincerely,
Nancy Sojka
Communications
AEI
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