Heights Recognizing The Arts This Month
The month of March has been set aside to celebrate the important role that the arts (visual arts, music, theater, and dance) play in schools across the nation. March has been designated by the National Dance Education Organization as “Dance in Our Schools Month,” by the National Association for Music Education as “Music in our Schools Month,” by the National Theatre Association as “Theatre in Our Schools Month,” and by the Council for Art Education as “Youth Art Month.”
At Hamilton Heights, the arts are more than an extracurricular activity; they are a cornerstone of our educational mission – they are an integral component of our students’ overall educational experience. These programs enrich the lives of our students, enhance their academic and personal growth, and help strengthen the bonds within our community. We know that a well-rounded education, including the arts, helps to better prepare our students for success after graduation.
Beyond the intrinsic value of artistic expression, studies have consistently shown that students who participate in arts education demonstrate higher academic achievement, improved attendance, and increased civic engagement. The arts instill discipline and perseverance, teaching students the importance of dedication and practice in the pursuit of excellence. In fact, almost every student at Heights is exposed to art, music, theater, dance, band, and/or choir at some point during their PreK-12th grade journey here.
Arts educators play a crucial role in shaping the lives of our students, often going above and beyond their teaching duties to make a positive impact. Our arts programs are thriving with interest and participation thanks in large part to our arts educators and staff (past and present) who inspire, engage, and help provide our students with life-changing and far-reaching experiences throughout their journey at Heights. They include Mark Snelson (Band-HHHS/HHMS), Billy Cox (Band-HHHS/HHMS), Jill Walker (Choir-HHHS/HHMS), Tara Mueller (Music-HHES), Carrie VanAlstine (Amber Guard-HHHS), Brooks Myers (Theater-HHHS), Cheri Trachtman (Art-HHES), Erin Goodman (Art-HHMS), and Taylor Myers (Art-HHHS).
The other gift we have that contributes to strong arts programming here is that we live in a community that values the arts and contributes to creating a positive school culture that celebrates creativity and expression. This environment fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to explore their artistic potential. The collective effort of a supportive community which helps provide our students with extra resources, encouragement, and opportunities they need to thrive creatively.
Our students’ involvement in the arts can be seen, heard, and felt in creative, imaginative, and colorful ways throughout our buildings and community every day. The transformative power of the arts continues to shape the lives of our students, enrich the fabric of our community, and is worthy of celebrations this month and all year long.
Thank you for supporting our students’ intellectual development and creativity through the arts at Hamilton Heights. I leave you with this impactful quote from Maxine Greene, American Educational Philosopher, “The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may change the human beings who might change the world.” #WeAreHuskies