What an exciting time for arts educators in the Boston Public Schools. I say that with excitement and sadness at the same time. BPS is facing very difficult financial challenges which will result in many teacher layoffs. Despite the sad reality of a deep national recession, and the possibility of many of us loosing our jobs, I want to take a few minutes to celebrate the hard work of all who were involved in the effort of considering the state of the arts in the Boston Public Schools. Dr. Carol R. Johnson understands the importance of the arts for our children. In the many years I've been teaching for the Boston Public Schools I've never seen our school department's leadership undertake a task like this one. Dr. Johnson, with the support of The Boston Foundation and many others, have created a Boston Public School's Arts Expansion Planning Team. Did you read that? AN ARTS EXPANSION PLANNING TEAM! Today, the planning team announced their recommendations:
Recommendation #1: Expand Equity and Access
Recommendation #2: Build District Capacity
Recommendation #3: Launch the BPS Arts Expansion Fund
Recommendation #4: Convene High-Level BPS Arts Advisory Board
To read all the details and/or download the full report click here. If you want to hear Dr. Johnson's remarks during the unveiling of this exciting new initiative, look for our podcast. I will be uploading remarks and interviews regarding this event. I also had the chance to have a candid conversation with our new Boston Public Schools Arts Acting Senior Program Director, Cleopatra Knight-Wilkins. Don't miss the interview! LET'S TALK ARTS TEACHERS! Post your comments!
Thank you for the photos Laura. I was at the event, but in a corner up in front (sitting on the floor) so I didn't get the best perspective.
ReplyDeleteKim