2013-033 EDC-Arts - McDougle Elementary School PTA $1,000

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Arts in Education Grant—Fall 2012-13 McDougle Elementary School PTA 5 Arts Program Application Narrative School Profile McDougle Elementary is one of the largest K-5 schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, with 528 students. Its population is ethnically and academically diverse, with students X_on a il ide rar i ge of socio-economic backgrounds. The demographic breakdown for the 2012- 2013 school year is as follows for grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade: Gender Race/National Origin Female:255 African-American:83 Hispanic:120 White:331 Male:273 Asian:42 1 American Indian:I Starting in the 2012-2013 school year, McDougle Elementary School will participate in the Title I Schoolwide program, meaning that the school's poverty level is at least 40 percent. With the support of Title I funding, the school will implement a comprehensive program to address the unique needs of this population. In addition, we have approximately 65 students classified as English Language Learners (ELL); this number fluctuates during the school year, as this is our most transient population. McDougle Elementary has four self-contained classrooms in its Exceptional Children program: two for autism and two Life Skills class, which is for students with severe and profound learning challenges. Although these classrooms are categorized as self- contained, inclusion opportunities with same-age peers are provided on a regular basis, including the MES PTA cultural enrichment programs. Given the demographic and socio-economic composition of our school, a large percentage of our students benefit greatly from experiencing a diverse cultural arts program as they may otherwise have very few opportunities to do so outside the school context. The struggling economy, declining resources allocated to the arts, and limited fundraising opportunities make it necessary for the McDougle Elementary PTA to seek outside funding to support our Cultural Arts Program. McDougle Elementary has demonstrated its strong commitment to the arts since it opened in 1996. The Common Core and NC Standard Course of Study determine the school's Arts curriculum. To enhance and complement the curriculum, the PTA presents at least four different performances each year, as well as artist residencies. Each performance is carefully selected to respond to the needs of our students. The criteria for selection include strong multidisciplinary linkages to the school's curriculum, particularly in arts education, language arts, science, math, social studies, and positive behavior; and being representative of a variety of cultures and art forms, such as dance, music, drama, storytelling and poetry, among others. Our goal is to expose students to a wide range of artistic expression throughout their elementary school years. The two performances for which we are seeking funding present a unique learning opportunity for our students during the 2012-2013 school year. School's Arts Programs In 2012-2013. the PTA Cultural Arts Program includes the following shows: • Flamenco Carolina (October 2012; supported by the Spring 2012 OCAC grant) • Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets (November 2012; supported by the Spring 2012 OCAC grant) • Tired Souls, presented by Mike Wiley (January 2013; provisional support by the Fall 2012 OCAC grant) • Ballet Folklonco, Mexico (April 2013; provisional support by the Fall 2012 OCAC grant) The PTA will also fund a poetry residency (5th grade), a pottery residency (4th grade) and a Music Residency for all students. The PTA will continue building partnerships with the community at large by inviting local organizations to showcase students' work at the end of Page 4 of 24