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California State PTA Online Newsletter                                February 2009
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Register Now for Arts Education Conference
April 20-21, 2009
Sacramento
 
The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association and the California Alliance for Arts Education present "Arts to the Core: Building a Future for Arts Education in California"

Why Arts Matter
By James E. Canales, president and chief executive officer, James Irvine Foundation

Rate Your Music Program
Core Subjects for  Creative Minds: California Arts Council


The Benefits of the Study of Music from MENC
 
Quick Facts from American for the Arts
 
Resources from the Arts Education Partnership
 
Keep Music Education Strong - Support Music


 
Reflections Gallery
Drama and Dance

Music

Visual Arts
SMARTS is California State PTA's program to encourage arts education. Please spread the word about the benefits of arts education.
 
 
Celebrate
African American
History Month


  • The National Gallery of Art presents an online tour of 22 paintings, works on paper, and sculpture.

  • Smithsonian explores the story behind the first black opera, provides 100 photographs of African-American activists, artists, scientists, authors, musicians and athletes, and Freedom Songs Radio.

  • Take a look at Black History Lesson Plans including Heroes of Harlem from the New York Times Learning Network.

 

PTA and CAAE Partner for the Arts

California State PTA is once again partnering wth the California Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE) to raise awareness among elected officials about the importance of arts education. This joint effort will:
  • Help local PTA volunteers schedule meetings with legislators to stress that visual and performing arts are part of the core curriculum in California.

  • Provide an opportunity for participants to share their passion for arts education and receive regional training.
If you are interested in finding out more, please email Nan Austin with CAAE. 
 
 Get Ready
March is Arts Education Month


  • If we want arts education to survive and thrive in our schools, we need to demonstrate the value of arts education for our children by inviting decision-makers into our schools to experience learning in the arts firsthand.

  • Tell your legislator, your school board, your superintendent, your mayor, and your supervisors/city council members:
PTA Supports the Arts!
Find Your Legislators
 
  • Start planning now. Invite your community into your school, any time between now and the end of the school year.

  • Keep it simple. Here are some ideas:
- Reflections events

- Theater, dance or music performance

- Create a mural

- Hold an awards event

- Involve your school paper
  • Check out samples of what communities throughout the country are doing in March.

  • Take a video tour of highlights from Edutopia as it celebrates Arts in Education:
 
 
Visit the  Smarts Link Web page.


The California State PTA SMARTS newsletter is sent free of charge via the Internet as a service of the California State PTA in the furtherance of its nonprofit and tax-exempt status. Unless otherwise noted, PTAs may reproduce and distribute the materials from the California State PTA website for PTA use without express written permission. California State PTA materials may not be duplicated by any other organization or person without written permission.

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  • Does not exert editorial control over materials that are posted by third parties onto its website, or materials that are emailed by third parties to any other persons.
  • Specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that result from postings by third parties.
  • Does not exert editorial or any other control over content provided by links from the California State PTA website.

� California State PTA 2009. All Rights Reserved.