A new academic year is about to unfold and we are fortunate to have many exciting artistic offerings. Despite severe budgetary constraints, our school manages to maintain artistic quality in all of our endeavors. As in other years, our faculty and students are ready to give their best effort and that in itself is magnificent. In trimming back our expenses, talent is not on the list, so please join me as we present to you another exiting year filled with concerts, performances and exhibitions.

NWSA Dean of Theater Patrice Bailey will soon become the face of "Miami's Got Class," the tenth anniversary celebration of the nationally recognized fundraising program "Adopt-A-Classroom".

Scheduled to start in the Fall, the promotional spot was created by Miami resident and NWSA alum, (1992 dance), Susanne K. Taylor and directed by MAdTV's Keegan-Michael Key, who was recently in Miami hosting benefit events for Adopt-A-Classroom. The objective? a casting call to identify inspirational teachers in Miami. "My goal is to have NWSA students and our alumni join together and insure that 100% of the faculty at NWSA is adopted, giving money directly to the teachers," stated Taylor, "there is no red tape, just opportunity for the next generation. It is time to pay it back!"

Costarring with Patrice Bailey were New York's subway pole dancers, the "Pole-ite Girls". Alumni of New World School of the Arts, the talented young ladies felt right at home as they roamed the very familiar halls and classrooms of NWSA. Hosted by Keegan-Michael Key (a la SNL and MAdTV) "Miami's Got Class" will be filmed in front of a live studio audience on February 28th, 2009 celebrating Miami's most memorable teachers.

"Adopt-A-Classroom is a terrific way for the community to have a direct impact in helping our schools purchase the essential school supplies needed in the classroom this year." commented Bailey. Founded in 1998 in Miami by Jamie Rosenberg, a mergers and acquisitions attorney, the program was developed with the success of teachers and students in mind. By adopting a classroom, donors form partnerships with specific classrooms providing financial and moral support. The result is a meaningful contribution to education in which donors experience the impact of their efforts and celebrate in a classroom's success.

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Adopt-A-Classroom Founder, Jamie Rosenberg; NWSA Dean of Theater, Patrice Bailey; NWSA Provost, Mercedes Quiroga; MAdTV actor Keegan-Michael Key; Isis Masoud, creator of the Pole-ite Girls; Kelly Hamilton; Susie Kreitman Taylor; Nicole Del Pino.

Titled "Explorations", this exhibition features the work of the visual arts faculty. The work, as diverse as the artists, features sculptures, painting, drawing, photography and digital media. The NWSA visual arts faculty are all well recognized artists in their own field exhibiting in numerous galleries and museums throughout the nation and internationally.

New World Gallery, 25 NE 2nd Street, downtown Miami.

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 11; 6 - 9 pm.

For information call 305-237-3597.

Free admission.

New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida Legislature as a Center of Excellence in the visual and the performing arts. An educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College and the University of Florida.