Schools across the country are currently facing budget cuts,
which leaves many arts and cultural programs by the wayside. However, the
Central School, an elementary school in South Berwick, finds ways year after
year to make sure their Fine Arts Celebration remains an annual tradition.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “The Arts Tell A
Story”, and PreK to 3rd grade students learned how to express stories through
movement, song, art, theater and expression. The school also brought in guest
artists to help facilitate students’ learning. Vicki Stewart, principal of Central
School, worked closely with volunteers and pursued a $5,000 grant through Bob's
Discount Furniture’s Celebrate the Arts contest in order to continue the
school’s tradition of cultural development.
“This is an easy way for schools to get a chance to win
money,” said Cathy Poulin, outreach director at Bob’s Discount Furniture. “This
is our 8th year, trying to let community schools know that programs
are being cut everywhere, with arts usually the first to go. We give $5,000
awards to schools in nine different states.
The staff at Central School really came together to make
this year’s Fine Arts Celebration an interdisciplinary event. Tina
Polichronopoulos, a librarian, Kate Smith, a music teacher, Kristan Tiede, a
physical education teacher, and Casey Everett, an art teacher worked
collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents on this year’s seven-day
celebration, whose theme is “The Arts Tell a Story.”
“We found out about the grant opportunity and told our
parents. Actually, it was a parent whose name was drawn to win,” Smith said.
“This was the first year we didn’t have to actively look for a grant because we
won the $5,000 so early.”
The group added eleven artists and musicians and six staff
members to work with the kids all during the week of the Celebration. There
were fourteen activities at the school and the Town Hall. “The focus was to
give the kids kinesthetic opportunities. These kids learn by doing,” Smith
said. “Students who tend to be very quiet were benefiting just as much. It
really gave them a way out of their shells, to be recognized for their
strengths. This grant makes for great opportunities for Maine students.”
