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DocuSign Envelope ID: 38C3356F-77B1-42A1-8871-9CD090A9AB79 <br /> Arts in Education Grant Application—Spring 2015-16 McDougle Elementary School PTA <br /> 5 Arts Program Application Narrative <br /> School Profile <br /> McDougle Elementary School (MES) has a population 476 students who represent a wide range <br /> of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Below is our current demographic breakdown: <br /> Gender Race/National Origin <br /> Female: 233 African-American: 71 Hispanic: 81 White: 274 <br /> Male: 243 Asian: 30 Multiracial: 19 <br /> Approximately 30 percent of MES students qualify for free or reduced lunch, which indicates <br /> that nearly one out of three MES families are dealing with issues related to poverty. In addition, <br /> we have 62 students classified as English Language Learners (ELL). MES has four self- <br /> contained classrooms in its Exceptional Children program: two classrooms for students with <br /> autism (12 students) and two Life Skills classrooms for students with severe and profound <br /> learning challenges (9 students). <br /> Given the demographic and socio-economic composition of our school, a large percentage of <br /> our students have very few opportunities to experience a diverse cultural arts program outside <br /> the school environment. The struggling economy, declining resources allocated to the arts, and <br /> limited fundraising opportunities make it necessary for the MES PTA to seek outside funding to <br /> support our Cultural Arts Program. <br /> MES has demonstrated its strong commitment to the arts since it opened in 1996. The <br /> Common Core and NC Essential Standards determine the school's Arts curriculum. To enhance <br /> and complement the curriculum, the PTA presents at least three different professional cultural <br /> arts performances each year, as well as artist residencies. The MES PTA Cultural Arts Chair <br /> works collaboratively with the Orange County Arts Commission and cultural arts representatives <br /> from other Orange County Schools to carefully select each performance to respond to the <br /> needs of our students. The criteria for selection include strong multidisciplinary linkages to the <br /> school's curriculum, particularly in arts education, language arts, science, math, social studies <br /> and positive behavior, and being representative of a variety of cultures and art forms, such as <br /> dance, music, drama, storytelling and poetry. Our goal is to expose students to a wide range of <br /> artistic expression throughout their elementary school years. <br /> The two performances for which we are currently seeking funding present a unique learning <br /> opportunity for our students during the 2014-15 school year. <br /> School's Arts Programs <br /> In 2015-2016, the PTA Cultural Arts Program includes the following shows: <br /> • Red Herring Puppets (October 2015) <br /> • Didgeridoo Down Under (January 2016) <br /> • Gustafer Yellowgold (March 2016) <br /> The PTA will also fund a poetry residency for 5t" grade students and a pottery residency for 4t" <br /> grade students. The PTA will continue building partnerships with the community at large by <br /> inviting local organizations to showcase students' work at the end of these residencies. <br /> Proposed Uses of Grant Funds. <br /> We are seeking matching funds to pay artists' fees for the following performance, which will be <br /> held on school premises in October 2015. <br /> Page 3of21 <br />