Speak up for the arts in Seattle Public Schools strategic plan meetings
Play your part in supporting the arts as part of a complete education for every child. The Seattle Public School District seeks community input on its new strategic plan. It's particularly important that parents, arts educators and young people participate. Meetings will be held:
- May 14, 7 - 8:30 p.m., at Roosevelt High School
- May 15, 7 - 8:30 p.m., at West Seattle High School
- May 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m., at Aki Kurose Middle School
Find complete details and more information on the strategic plan in the School District's invitation flyer.
The superintendent and the Seattle School Board will use the strategic plan to set priorities and guide their decisions over the next five years. Show up and speak up for the arts and send a vital message to school leaders.
Meetings will feature small group discussions. You will not have to testify.
If you are unable to attend a meeting, please send your communications to: strategicplan@seattleschools.org
Mayor proclaims Arts Education Week, May 11 - 17
Mayor Greg Nickels joined Gov. Christine Gregoire and statewide leaders in government, education and the arts in proclaiming May 11 to 17 Washington's 3rd Annual Arts Education Week. The week provides a coordinated opportunity for schools and communities around the state to recognize the value of arts education, to celebrate local arts education achievements, and to focus attention on the necessary work ahead to ensure "Arts for Every Student."
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Download the mayor's proclamation |
ArtsEd Washington has made it easy for all who support arts education to participate. Check out the complete Arts Education Week Toolkit. It includes a list of things you can do to get involved, tips for communicating with elected officials, a calendar of the week's events, and a sample curtain speech and official logo for your organization to put to use.
Progress report: City, district initiative expanding arts education
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and Seattle Public Schools are collaborating to increase access to arts education for all students. At the School Board's April 9 meeting, Michael Killoren, director of the Office, and Deborah Semer, vice chair of the Seattle Arts Commission, briefed the School Board on the progress of the City/SPS capacity-building initiative launched this year.
Successes to date include a three-year plan to expand and align performing arts at Rainier Beach High School and Aki Kurose Middle School; increased professional development for public school arts faculty; and the recent hire of Pam Ivezic, the district's K-12 music coach. Ivezic is the first district-wide music instructional leader in three decades.
Next, the district plans to hire a community arts liaison, whose responsibilities will include facilitating stronger, strategic partnerships between schools and community arts programs.
We will send notice of the position opening to our Arts Education Update subscribers and post it to our Web site.
View the school board briefing online at Seattle Channel.
Image: A Reel Grrls graduate passes on camera knowledge at the Reel Grrls Media Boot Camp. Photo: © Lila Kitaeff.