2014-103 Arts - McDougle Elementary School PTA - Fall 2013 Arts Grant Agreement

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Arts in Education Grant—Fall 2013-14 McDougle Elementary School PTA 5 Arts Program Application Narrative School Profile McDougle Elementary School (MES) is one of the largest Kindergarten through 5"'Grade schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, with 494 students. Our population is richly diverse, with students from a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Below is the demographic breakdown for the 2013-2014 school year: Gender Race/National On in Female: 226 African-American: 69 Hispanic: 82 White: 299 Male: 268 Asian: 21 Multiracial 22 Approximately 25 percent of MES students qualify for free or reduced lunch, which indicates that a quarter of our school families are dealing with issues related to poverty. In addition, we have approximately 45 students classified as English Language Learners (ELL). McDougle Elementary has four self-contained classrooms in its Exceptional Children program: two classrooms for students with autism and two Life Skills classrooms 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 have very few opportunities to experience a diverse cultural arts program 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 2013-2014 school year. School's Arts Programs In 2013-2014, the PTA Cultural Arts Program includes the following shows: • Project Trio (October 2013) • U Liu (January 2014; provisional support by the Fall 2013-14 OCAC grant) • One Noble Journey, presented by Mike Wiley (January 2014; provisional support by the Fall 2013-14 OCAC grant) • Soul Street Dance (February 2014; provisional support by the Public Schools Foundation Strowd Roses grant) The PTA will also fund a poetry residency (5"'grade), a pottery residency (4`"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 these residencies. Proposed Uses of Grant Funds. Page 4 of 21