Archive for May, 2011

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Congrats to Camden Rockport Student

May 16, 2011

Lizzie Cox, a junior at CHRHS, had  her artwork selected as First Runner Up in the Congressional Art Competition for the State of Maine. Lizzie is in Advanced Art Portfolio class with Ms. Carolyn Brown, and additionally takes a painting class outside school with instructor Ron Frontin.

Recently Lizzie attended a reception at the Blaine House with Governor and Mrs. LePage. At the reception, she was awarded a $24,000 scholarship ($6,000 a year for 4 years) to Maine College of Art, if she chooses to attend.

BIG congratulations to Lizzie for this award and to her Carolyn, her art teacher!

Posted in Opportunity, Visual Arts, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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Access to the Arts w/ Technology

May 15, 2011

A topic on many arts educators mind: what is the role of new media in teaching and learning today in arts classrooms?

Photo taken from Christine Mason Miller's blog

Periodically arts educators ask me questions very similar to the questions in the article recently published in the Harvard Education Letter. What does it mean to be an arts specialist in the digital age? How and when should new media be used? Are the old disciplines blurring? When I was recently interviewed by undergraduate art education students at Montclair State University I was asked a similar question. My response is that we need to embrace new media, incorporate it into our practices, and view it as another tool to add to our bag of teaching techniques in vpa classrooms. I am not suggesting that we eliminate our traditional media but think of this as another or new media. I believe if we don’t we’re missing the boat for our students and jeopardizing arts education programs. Students and the world are different than they were 5 or 10 years ago. They are revolving at a rapid rate and we don’t know what jobs will exist in the future and what skills they will need but I am confident the use of technology and critical thinking will be necessary. Check out the article at the link below.

Schools merge digital tools with arts education
Some schools are using technology to increase students’ access to the arts. A statewide distance-learning program in Alabama is helping students in rural districts fulfill a state requirement that they complete an arts survey course that incorporates dance, music, theater and visual arts. In Arizona, students use computer software to compose original operas and teachers work with visual artists to bring technology-based — as well as traditional — art projects into the classroom. Harvard Education Letter (May/June 2011)

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Commissioner Bowen Listening Tour Continues

May 14, 2011

Ed Commissioner’s listening tour events in the Midcoast region

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will visit the Midcoast region on Tuesday, May 17 as part of his statewide listening tour.

Bowen will start with a visit to Searsport District High School to learn about the school’s implementation of a standards-based model and a system of interventions that kicks in when students don’t meet standards. The Commissioner will tour the school and meet with students, teachers and administrators.

Bowen will end the day with a public forum at Camden-Rockport Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m.

Both events will be open to media coverage:
12:30-3 p.m.
Searsport District High School, 24 Mortland Rd., Searsport
School visit
Principal: Brian Campbell
Superintendent: Bruce Mailloux

6-8 p.m.
Camden-Rockport Middle School cafeteria, 34 Knowlton St., Camden
Public forum

For more information and updates on the Listening Tour, go to:
http://www.maine.gov/education/listeningtour/

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Exhibits/Performances Throughout the State

May 13, 2011

‘Tis the season…

All over the state there are exhibits and performances taking place exhibiting the work of students. Many of them are a culmination of the accomplishments of students from throughout the year and a testament to the outstanding work that arts teachers do in classrooms. These exhibits and performances are evidence of the learning that has taken place.

An email from Ruth McAtee from the County yesterday included the following: Our art show opens tomorrow the 11th of May at 5pm.  Beginning with music from the 4th grade chorus.  The art gallery spaces provided by the Aroostook Centre Mall will be ready for browsing and enjoying the student work created this school year by students in grades K-12.  Students in
grades 4-12 will entertain the crowds with their musical talents…..which includes chorus and band selections.  The time is from 5pm-8pm.

Bucksport High School art work

A couple of weeks ago Catherine Ring stopped by Bucksport High School (RSU 25) to see the Visual Art Show. She said: “The work being done by the students in Holly Bertrand’s art classes is just spectacular.  Bucksport must be very proud of their students and their art teachers!” WOW!

This from Charles Hamm from Belfast yesterday: RSU20 2nd Annual Art Show, sponsored by the Senior Festival of Arts, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, May 1st-June 6th. Reception May 14th, 10-12.

And from Jake Sturtevant and the teachers in SAD 6: SAD 6 Spring Art Show, which will include our whole district K-12 for Visual and Performing Arts.  It will be at the Bonny Eagle Middle School on Wednesday, May 18. The Art show will open at 5pm, and the performances from 6-8pm. 

Let me know about your visual and performing arts events happening between now and the end of the year so I can include them for others to know about.

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GOOGLE Yesterday

May 12, 2011

Martha Graham’s 117th Birthday!

On Google yesterday in recognition of dancer Martha Graham‘s birthday they had a very short animation created by Ryan Woodward. Below is a full song of the animation with the same dancers that is a You Tube and it is sooooooo very COOOOOOOOL! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBk3ynRbtsw

Posted in Dance, Food for thought | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

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Only in Maine

May 11, 2011

District III Music Educators meet

Recently the District III music educators met at the Alna Fire Station where music educators Roger and Beth Whitney have been volunteer member since 2000. Supper was turkey with all the fixins’, prepared and served by the firefighters with the Chief carving the turkeys. All reports were that it was delicious!

On top of that the Alna’s Fire Chief agreed on donating one ride on the truck around Alna as a door prize. Of course, Assistant Chief Roger drove the lucky winner, Camden-Hills Regional High School music teacher Nancy Rowe.

Doesn’t she look like she’s having a great time? Don’t let anyone ever tell you that music teachers have boring meetings! I am sorry I missed it, I wanted so much to ride in that truck since my Dad was a firefighter.

Posted in Music, YAHOO | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

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Arts Assessment Teacher Leaders

May 10, 2011

Look to your arts education leaders

I am excited to announce the Arts Assessment Teacher Leaders who will be attending a four day professional development institute in August. They will turn around and provide workshops at the statewide arts education conference on October 7th at USM. They will also be presenting a workshop in regions across the state during the 2011-12 school year.

DANCE EDUCATOR

  • MARYELLEN SCHAPER, Bonny Eagle Middle School, grades 6-8

MUSIC EDUCATORS

  • ALLYSA ANDERSON – Camden Rockport Middle School, grades 5-8
  • WILLIAM BUZZA – Leavitt Area High School, grades 9-12
  • JEN NASH – Etna-Dixmont, grades PK-8
  • MATTHEW DOIRON, Sanford High School, Sanford, grades 9-12
  • DEB LARGE, Hall-Dale High School, grades 6-12
  • JAKE STURTEVANT, Bonny Eagle High School, grades 9-12
  • ALICE SULLIVAN, Woodland/Princeton, grades K-12
  • SHARI TARLETON, Brunswick Junior High School, grades 6-8

VISUAL ARTS EDUCATORS

  • SHANNON CAMPBELL, Vinalhaven School, grades K-12
  • LAURA DEVIN, Woolwich Central School, grades K-8
  • JENNIE DRISCOLL, Brunswick High School, grades 9-12
  • AUDREY GRUMBLING, Mildred L. Day School, grades K-8
  • CHARLIE JOHNSON, Mount Desert Island High School, grades 9-12
  • LISA MARIN, Jonesport-Beals High School, grades 9-12
  • LEAH OLSON, Bucksport Middle School, grades 5-8
  • JEFFREY ORTH, Richmond Middle/High School, grades 6-12
  • SHALIMAR POULIN, Gardiner High School, grades 9-12

THEATRE EDUCATOR

  • REBECCA WRIGHT, Ellsworth High School, grades 9-12

The Maine Arts Assessment wiki is located at http://maineartsassessment.pbworks.com where you can watch the work unfold.

 

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Commissioner of Ed visiting Kennebec Valley

May 9, 2011

Listening tour continues

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will visit schools in the Kennebec Valley on Tuesday, May 10 as part of his statewide listening tour.

He’ll start with a morning meeting with superintendents in Oakland before he visits Oakland’s Williams Elementary School. At Williams, he’ll spend time in the classroom of Shelly Moody, Maine’s 2011 Teacher of the Year.

Bowen will then visit Readfield Elementary School, where he’ll learn about the school’s Response to Intervention program.

Bowen will end the day with an evening forum at Messalonskee Middle School in Oakland to hear from parents, teachers and others interested in sharing ideas about improving education and the work of the Department of Education.

The following events will be open to media coverage:
10:15 a.m.
Williams Elementary School, 55 Pleasant St., Oakland
School visit
Principal: Kathy Harris-Smedberg
Superintendent: Gary Smith
12:30 p.m.
Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Rd.
School Visit
Principal: Cheryl Hasenfus
Superintendent: Rich Abramson
6-8 p.m.
Messalonskee Middle School cafeteria
Public forum

For more information and updates on the Listening Tour, go to:
http://www.maine.gov/education/listeningtour/

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Student Acting Competition a Success

May 9, 2011

Student Acting Competition is a Success!

The first ever Maine Student Acting Competition was held on April 30 at
Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast. Nearly 40 middle schoolers competed
from Belfast, Bucksport, Lincolnville, North Haven, and Medomak. Events
included solo acting (comedy and drama), duo acting (comedy and drama),
and solo/duo musical. Belfast took home 1st place overall, with Medomak
2nd and Lincolnville 3rd.

Plans are already being made for next year’s MSAC, which will again be
hosted by Troy Howard Middle School. It will be in January 2012, with
similar categories, as well as group acting and musical. There may also be
a new division for high schoolers. For more information, contact MSAC
coordinator Jason Bannister at jbannister@rsu20.org or visit
mainesac.wordpress.com.

Posted in Theater, YAHOO | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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Mother’s Day

May 8, 2011

Special day

I know how fortunate I am today to have my mother visit with me for Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, my sons couldn’t share the day but we continued with our tradition of traveling to Damariscotta Mills to see the alewives. We were glad to have my mom, my brother and sister in law join us.

We walked along gazing into the dark water to locate the alewives that are struggling to swim upstream to spawn at the pond at the top. During the last few years they have been restoring the fish ladder to make the traveling a bit easier. 

When we arrived there were a handful of very serious photographers waiting patiently to capture the site of an eagle or an osprey seeking a meal. They weren’t disappointed and neither were we. There were not as many fish as we sometimes see but there were plenty of seagulls and one osprey.

The sun was shining, the work done on the ladder since last mother’s day is remarkable, and more memories were made. Even without my sons we played “Pooh sticks” on the bridge, the last part of our visits tradition.

Happy Mother’s Day!


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