Arts connections to learning abounded this week in and out of school, with a really cool new opportunity to support all things McCallum Vertical Team arts initiatives to boot!
I was able to stop by Lamar Middle School's rendition of Guys & Dolls, Jr. Some very talented kids, with a few familiar former HP faces. These students managed the lights, the sets, the sound, the acting, all of it by themselves, per principal George Llewellyn; I left very impressed. We had some current Scottie families in the audience and truly, when kids are able to perform, speak, or do anything in front of an audience they come away with some valuable life skills. In and out of school, most especially in our future workforce. Keep up the good work Lamar and thanks for inviting us to your performance.
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| Molly, aka Miss Adelaide, waiting stage right |
Ms. Ferguson hosted another well attended and meaningful parent visiting activity at the start of school this morning. Her students had completed research on Arctic animals, discovering many facts and details about their chosen animal's physical attributes, food, prey, and more. They typed up their research, created some illustrations using KidPix, then very ably presented their info slides for us in the cafetorium. Do you know how a lemming stays warm? These first graders know!
I was also was able to view some cool art pieces in the fourth grade hall. Students were inspired to create their pieces by the work of artist Marc Chagall. Mrs. Leibick and her students tell me their watercolors were part of the continued mystery language arts unit, with this activity specifically connected to the Mahy fantasy short story, The Door In the Air - as Chagall's work had that "fantasy/floating quality". The students also wrote their own short stories, using their imaginations to continue where the Mahy story ended. Hmmmm....What was on the other side of the door? Check out Mrs. Leibick's Process & Product display outside her classroom if you'd like to know more.
The McCallum Vertical Team has a great opportunity to receive some support through the upcoming Amplify Austin giving campaign. You should receive notice of how you can give in Sunday's Scottie Informer, know that funds raised will help our school and vertical team with "additional funding for arts education activities. As you may have heard, Austin is having its FIRST annual, 24-hour online giving festival, Amplify Austin, March 4-5, 2013. Central Texans are coming together online for 24 hours to raise $1M for local non-profits that help make Austin the best place to live. Our school is participating in Amplify Austin through Any Given Child-MINDPOP to raise funding for arts field trips, artist residencies, and arts supplies specific to our campus or another school, designated or undesignated in our McCallum Vertical Team. All donations received will be "amplified" by the event organizers' matching funds. Nonprofits with the most participation will be awarded additional funds as a prize - up to $5,000!
So how can you help? Spread the word. Stay tuned for updates on Twitter and Facebook. Donate! at the Amplify Austin website, choose Any Given Child - MINDPOP. Then designate your donation to a school or schools in our vertical team by putting the name(s) in the ORGANIZATION LINE on the donor information page. You can also leave your donation undesignated to ensure the monies go to the McCallum Vertical Team at large. Check out www.AmplifyATX.org or find more information on MINDPOP at www.mindpop.org A great way to support schools in our VT who need the extra funding and to continue to build arts capacities in the MAC community.
Last two images to leave you with today. First, in continued recognition of Black History Month, I was super impressed with student teacher Kerri Henri's hall display outside Mrs. Absher's door. Great job Ms. Henri. 
And finally, something that caught my eye outside Mrs. Ryan's door last week that I'm just now getting the chance to share. Very true words from a Kinder who gets it. Thanks Annabel.
