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DocuSign Envelope ID:0E33E5E7-2F9B-4F3C-9COD-95D21AC52620 <br /> Seawell Elementary School PTA <br /> Arts Program Application Narrative <br /> School Profile <br /> Seawell Elementary is located in Chapel Hill, NC and has a student body composed of <br /> 550 students from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds: 41%White, 32%Asian, <br /> 12%African-American, 9% Hispanic, and 6% Other. 28% of our students are eligible <br /> for free and reduced lunch. We have a very active outreach in our school to support <br /> families in need through the work of our school social worker, Linda Williford. Seawell <br /> Elementary offers a variety of in-school and after-school activities that enrich the <br /> students' educational and social development. Some school and district level activities <br /> provided to the student body include Soaring Seahawks, Math Olympiads, and Odyssey <br /> of the Mind. New this year is our MakerSpace, a place to encourage creativity through <br /> invention by providing a classroom of materials and open-ended exploration that is <br /> available to all grades. The Seawell PTA provides funding for art, music, and technology; <br /> sponsors family programming events like Big Fall Play Day and Bingo Night; and <br /> provides teacher reimbursement for classroom supplies. Additionally, with the financial <br /> support of the PTA, Seawell offers 3-4 cultural enrichment programs per year in the form <br /> of artistic presentations for the students. By creating well-rounded students, Seawell is <br /> able to have a positive impact on the lives of its students, families and the communities of <br /> Chapel Hill and Orange County. <br /> School Arts Programs <br /> PTA Cultural Enrichment Performances 3-4 times a year <br /> Music Curriculum for all grades <br /> Art Curriculum for all grades <br /> MakerSpace for all grades <br /> Family FORT Night–cultural exchange and performances <br /> Proposed Uses of Funds <br /> A significant way that we enhance the educational experience for children at Seawell is to <br /> bring in live performances of artists from around the world—artists who introduce our <br /> students to history, culture, and a wide range of human expression through artistically <br /> rendered stories, dynamic dance forms, and a spectrum of musical traditions. With each <br /> performance, we provide study guides and curriculum ideas to all of the teachers as a tool <br /> to prepare students for what they will encounter. In choosing our artists each year, we <br /> have purposefully emphasized performances that highlight the wide range of cultures <br /> present in our own student body: Asian, European, Latin, African, as well as looked for <br /> opportunities to tie in artists representing North Carolina traditions and culture. It is <br /> exciting to watch the children recognize elements of their own identity and background in <br /> the presentations and to see their pride in the association. Well after performances, the <br /> children continue to hum a memorable melody, cut a break dance move, and reminisce <br /> about key events and memorable moments. <br />