The purpose of the Arts in Education Program is to supplement and enrich the core curriculum by bringing arts-based and experiential learning opportunities into the classroom. These opportunities may be school-wide or grade specific.
Arts in Education programs include: visual arts, media arts, theater, dance, music, literature.
Experiential Enrichment programs include: math, science, technology, nature/environmental conservation, character development, health & wellness
Examples include:
Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully film production in Fourth Grade
Monarch butterflies in First Grade
Monthly mindfulness sessions with Ms. Jilly in all classrooms
Field trips to theater performances at the Middle School
Music and Art residencies - for ex. student hands-on claymation projects for all grades with Danny Somoza (a SS High School Graduate and Media Artist)
Musician visits - Jared Campbell (The Blue Project) and Mark Rust (America’s Musical Traditions)
Rural Soul African Drumming for Third Grade
Field trips to the Children’s Museum of Saratoga
Lake George Floating Classroom for Fifth Grade
Community Building Project and Downtown Walking Tour for Second Grade
Northshire Author Visits for all grades
Arts in Ed is funded through the SSCSD and PTA funds. PTA fundraising supports Arts in Ed, which allows Division Street to provide all grades with a variety of arts-based and experiential learning opportunities.
The PTA Arts in Ed coordinators work with the Arts in Ed teacher liaisons for each grade, specials teachers, and the front office to select and book Arts in Ed programs for Division Street. This year’s Arts in Ed Teacher Liaisons:
Kindergarten = Toni Lynch
First Grade = Abbie Marsh
Second Grade = Michele Sperber
Third Grade = Aine Antolowitz
Fourth Grade = Maureen Agostinello
Fifth Grade = Braiden White
Specials Teachers = Kate Spector, Melissa Ferrie-Healy, Jason Armstrong
Be on the lookout for PTA newsletters, Facebook/Instagram posts, and other PTA and teacher communications detailing Arts in Ed events at the school.
October 23-24 “Ready, Steady, Focus” with Jilly Sansone (All Grades)
Ms. Jilly leads 20-minute mindfulness sessions in each class. She will visit grades 3-5 on Thursday (10/23) and grades K-2 on Friday (10/24).
October 30th - 4-H Ozobots (2nd Grade)
Meet Ozobot! Ozobot is a smart robot that can follow lines or roam around freely, detect colors, and can be programmed using visual codes. 2nd grade students will learn hands-on about robotics, math, and programming.