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Owensboro takes PEAK at the arts
By Steve McClain
Staff Writer
The sound of music echoes from the stages of Owensboro Public Schools,
along with the dramatics of thespians, the rich sounds of choral groups
and orchestras and the visual stimulation of budding artists.
What you won’t find are the sounds of silence thanks to an
all-encompassing fine arts program that gives many students the
opportunity to find their creative sides.
The ability to entice so many students with so many opportunities is
what caught the eyes of the judges who awarded the district the Spring
2005 PEAK (Public Education Achieves in Kentucky) Award. KSBA
presents the award to focus statewide attention on outstanding public
school efforts that enhance student learning and promote the positive
impact of public elementary and secondary education.
“Our goal is to have every child involved in extracurricular activities.
For kids not into sports or academic teams, the ability to have such a
large arts program that touches kids that may not have had an outlet for
their creativity gives them a chance to showcase their abilities,” said
Dr. Larry Vick, Owensboro’s superintendent.
PEAK judge Vickie Maggard with Associated Industries of Kentucky
said, “Arts programs make a tremendous difference in the lives of all
students. An excellent program!”
Touching all students
The sheer number of students involved in the district’s arts program is
eye-opening, especially in high school. Julie White, the fine and
performing arts specialist for the district, said 15 percent of the
student body is involved in theatre and 32 percent in the visual arts.
Those percentages are even higher for the music program.
“We have a very flexible schedule that allows students to participate in
the activities, and our teachers are very flexible about making sure
events don’t butt heads with each other,” she said.
Just as important is the number of students who thrive once they find
their niche.
The administration and fine arts faculty at Owensboro High School tell
of D.J. Pounds, whose acapella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at
graduation last year drew a standing ovation.
“Choir, he told many of his friends, was the reason why he came to
school,” the staff wrote in its PEAK nomination letter.
Owensboro attorney Forrest Roberts said the fine arts program is one
reason her children attend Owensboro schools, including her daughter,
Sarah Holbrook.
“She is a very creative person who marches to the beat of her own drum,”
she said. “It was the instruction she received in the fine arts that
kept her interested and motivated and excited about school.”
Since that exposure in third grade to the paintings of Van Gogh, her
daughter has been painting, acting, playing instruments and singing.
“When I sought out a voice instructor for her…I was told she did not
need one because she already knows what she needs to know for this stage
in her voice development,” she said. “When anyone hears her sing and
asks me who her voice teacher is, I tell them it’s the Owensboro Public
Schools.”
The year culminates in a showcase featuring more than a quarter of the
student body. Each component of the arts is featured separately for the
parents and the community at the city’s RiverPark Center, giving
students the chance to perform before more than 10,000 people.
Support from the top down
White emphasized a program like this can't be successful without
cooperation from everyone in the district.
“We have enlightened leadership from the superintendent to the board to
the principals. You have to have the leadership that wants to put this
in place and that sees the value of it.
“Many times I’ll see a drama teacher letting a student out of class or
practice for an event three weeks away so they can perform in a musical
concert that is in two nights. It’s an idea that has been nurtured and
people have bought into that.”
Board Chairman Dr. George Gilliam first broached the idea of a fine arts
curriculum after reading brain-based research touting the benefits of
the arts. He believed a district-wide program for all grades that
touched every student would, among other things, increase daily
attendance and improve the dropout rate.
“We had some fine arts programs in place already at individual schools,
and it was pretty easy to see where that was taking place the kids were
enthused and it kept the students involved,” he said. “It became
apparent if we could focus on this we would have an asset we could offer
our students districtwide and get everyone involved.”
While some programs may be scaled back in other districts, Owensboro
strives to keep funding the arts.
“It’s a priority to have a balanced program and emphasis on all the
things that can prepare the students to be successful,” Vick said. “We
think all those things are important.”
White said one thing that helps is that every program in the district
has had to make some cuts.
“Instead of cutting one whole program, everybody has been asked to
tighten their belts. We have,” she said. “It creates a better climate in
the district because everyone thinks (the arts) are important.”
The deadline for the Fall 2005 PEAK Award is Sept. 21, 2005.
Photo: Estes
Elementary School students do the Charleston during the Owensboro Public
Schools’ Fine Arts Festival night of dance. Physical education teachers
work with the OPS fine arts department to incorporate dance into the
curriculum, then students showcase their talents on the RiverPark Center
stage during the five-night festival series. Photo by Don
Fogle/Owensboro Independent Schools |
