Bethel’s Visual and Performing Arts Newsletter
EXPRESSIONS
Vol. 29 No. 1 September 5, 2018

September:
5 All Day Waiver Day #1 – No School for Students
6 First Day of School for the 2018 – 2019 School Year!
9 – 15 National Arts In Education Week
(https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/arts-education/national-arts-in-education-week)
10 4:15 – 7:00pm First Day of Vivace! Choral Program LMS
11 10:00am Oh Say Can You Sing! National Anthem Sing-A-Long
(http://www.theapef.org/#!national-anthem-sing-a-long/c6qz)
7:00pm School Board Meeting ESC
12 5:00pm Pierce County Community Big Band WA State Fair Education Stage
18 4:00 – 7:30pm Instrument Rental Session GKHS
19 4:00 – 7:30pm Instrument Rental Session BHS
20 4:00 – 7:30pm Instrument Rental Session SLHS
5:00 – 8:00pm Third Thursday Art Mingle Tacoma (http://www.tacomaartgroup.org)
22 All Day Free Museum Day (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday)
9:00am – 3:00pm Fall Workshop Evergreen Orff Chapter – Marvista Elementary
Noon/3:00pm SLHS Music Company at the Fair WA State Fair Showplace Stage
7:00pm Cascade Community Band WA State Fair Education Stage
25 4:30 – 5:00pm Mountain Region Fall Meet and Greet Franklin Pierce High School
5:00 – 6:30pm Mountain Region Fall Meeting (11002 18th Avenue East in Tacoma)
7:00pm School Board Meeting TE
26 Late Arrival for Students
27 Noon – 8:00pm Pick Up Student Artwork from Puyallup Fairgrounds
28 Noon – 8:00pm Pick Up Student Artwork from Puyallup Fairgrounds
29 9:30am – 1:00pm Pick Up Student Artwork from Puyallup Fairgrounds
29 – 30 Washington Dance Educators Association Fall Conference
Delridge Community Center in Seattle (http://www.deawa.org)

October: National Arts and Humanities Month
(http://www.americansforthearts.org/get_involved/advocacy/nahm/default.asp)
Seventeenth Annual Tacoma Arts Month
(https://tacomaarts.wordpress.com/category/tacoma-arts-month)
1 – 5 The LENS Project (Learning Empathy, Negotiation, & Sense of Self)
begins at CE, EP, FE, KE, BMS, FMS, and LMS
2 Deadline for WMEA Junior All-State Youth Honor Choir Auditions (Grades 5 & 6)
3 Deadline for 2019 All-Northwest High School Auditions (Grades 9-12)
6:00 – 9:00pm Tacoma Arts Month Opening Party and AMOCAT Awards
Normanna Hall (1106 South 15th Street in Tacoma) (http://tacomaartsmonth.com)
4 Deadline for WMEA Junior All-State Auditions (Grades 7 & 8)
5:30 – 8:00pm Educator Night at the Museums Washington State History Museum
5 – 6 University of Puget Sound Northwest Honor Choir Festival
(http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/undergraduate/music/concerts-events/festivals/northwest-honor-choir)
5 – 7 Washington Art Education Association Fall Conference
Downtown Tacoma: http://waeafallconference2018.ezregister.com

WE’RE BEGINNING A NEW SCHOOL YEAR!
Welcome to a new school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer break! Exciting things are happening, and I would like to share that with you through this issue of Expressions . . . our arts newsletter that will be emailed to you every other Wednesday. It will help you to keep “an eye” on all the happenings around the district, in the Puget Sound area, and around our state and nation. This bi-monthly digital newsletter will have lots of arts information, classes, activities, staff development, and grant opportunities. All this great information – and it is FREE! Laura and I are looking forward to another exciting year of learning, for young and old alike! Thank you for your continued dedication to Bethel students and to the arts! Mike

WELCOME NEW ARTS STAFF
This fall we give a warm welcome to these new staff members on our arts team:
McKenna Dezihan – Visual Arts Specialist at Cougar Mountain MS & Frontier MS
David Droz – Orchestra Specialist at Frontier MS and Naches Trail Elementary
Maria Droz – Orchestra Specialist at Clover Creek, Elk Plain, Evergreen, and Thompson
Eric Griebenow – General Music Specialist at Pioneer Valley Elementary
Kelsey Hamm – General Music Specialist at Graham Elementary
Evan Hildebrand – Theatre Specialist at Spanaway Lake High School
Carol Jordan – Visual Arts Specialist at Roy Elementary and Spanaway Elementary
Autumn McCumiskey – Visual Arts Specialist at Naches Trail Elementary
Ben Petersen – Choir and General Music Specialist at Frontier Middle School
Jacob Schuler – General Music Specialist at Roy Elementary
David Stewart –Band Specialist at Graham-Kapowsin High School
Andrew Wray – Choir and General Music Specialist at Bethel Middle School
Some arts staff changed job assignments and/or locations:
Matt Armstrong – Band Specialist at Frederickson, Graham, Kapowsin, & Nelson
Sam Booth – Orchestra Specialist at Bethel Middle School & North Star Elementary
Gianna DeBolt –Band Specialist at Frontier Middle School
Stacy Figuracion – General Music Specialist at Spanaway Elementary
Carrie Huss – Choir and General Music Specialist at Liberty Middle School
Brett Johnson – Band Specialist at Elk Plain, Frontier MS, and Thompson
Aaron Julyan – Orchestra and Band Specialist at Graham-Kapowsin High School
Mike Mercer – Band at Clover Creek, North Star, Shining Mountain, & Spanaway
Amanda Smith – Orchestra Specialist at Frederickson, Graham, Kapowsin, & Nelson
Lindsey Start – Visual Arts Specialist at Spanaway Middle School

NATIONAL CORE ARTS LEARNING STANDARDS
Washington State adopted the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) as our Washington State Learning Standards for The Arts. The Arts Cadre of Educators, representing Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts, has been working to update the classroom-based performance assessments, as well as provide additional content with “Suggestions for students” and examples that will support the standards. Bethel arts specialists attended training at Summer Institute to learn more about how to develop lessons and assessments using the Standards. Visit http://www.k12.wa.us/Arts/default.aspx to learn more about the Arts Learning Standards.

A NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOR ARTS EDUCATION
September 9 through 15 is Arts in Education Week, the first congressional resolution to recognize all the disciplines: Arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students. Congress designated Arts in Education Week to promote and showcase the immense role arts education has in producing engaged, successful, and college and career-ready students, and developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate, and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth outside the classroom. To learn more visit http://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/networks-and-councils/arts-education-network/tools-resources/national-arts-in-education-week. Be sure to participate in the #BecauseOfArtsEd social media campaign.

VIVACE! OPEN ENROLLMENT
The Vivace! Choral Program is open to new members during the month of September and the first few weeks of October. Vivace! promises to be a fun and educational experience for students, having successfully completed their second annual Summer Camp at Roy Elementary this past August. The Vivace! Choral Program is held at Liberty Middle School with three choirs that meet on Monday evenings beginning September 10: Vivace! Kids Choir is made up of students in fourth through sixth grade with unchanged voices; Vivace! Mixed Choir consists of students in sixth through twelfth grade with changed voices and with general music knowledge; and Vivace! Cathedrals Choir, the flagship choir, with students in eighth through twelfth grade, changed voices with advanced music knowledge. Contact the Vivace Choir Manager for more information at (253) 507-0129, or email ChoirManager@vivacechoral.com, and visit https://vivacechoral.com or https://www.facebook.com/vivacechoralprogram.

THE GRAND CINEMA’S BACK TO SCHOOL MOVIE DEAL
What is your back-to-school tradition? The Grand Cinema’s Back To School Movie Deal allows students, teachers, and administrators with a valid school ID to attend any movie through the month of September at The Grand for just $5.50 (general admission is typically $10). Full ticket information may be found at http://www.grandcinema.com/events/back-to-school-special.

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs opens their 80th season at the Lakewood Playhouse, running September 7 through 30. Pay-What-You-Can Nights will be held on September 6, 13, and 20. The bittersweet memoir evocatively captures the life of a struggling Jewish household in Brooklyn. For tickets visit http://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org, or call (253) 588-0042.

TEACHING AND PERFORMING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Tuesday, September 11, is Patriot Day, observed as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. It is also a day when students across the country will participate in the National Anthem Sing-A-Long “Oh Say Can You Sing!” Friday, September 14, is the anniversary of the day in 1814 that Francis Scott Key wrote our National Anthem. For tips and lesson plans about our National Anthem visit http://www.theapef.org/#!national-anthem-sing-a-long/c6qz.

ARTSEDGE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE
ArtsEdge is the Kennedy Center’s free digital resource for teaching and learning in, through, and about the arts (http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org). Here are two online examples:

Oh, Say Can You See: In this lesson, students learn about the history behind the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Students develop an understanding of the significance of the national anthem through interactive online activities, writing blended poetry, and scripting a skit. Visit http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3-4/Star_Spangled_Banner.aspx.

Discovering National Parks: In this lesson, students learn about the history of America’s national parks, and the role that artists played in their creation and maintenance. Students may explore the connection between the arts and environmental activism, and create an ad campaign designed to promote America’s national parks. For this lesson visit http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-6-8/Discovering_National_Parks.

BOOK IT BEGINS NEW SEASON WITH JANE EYRE
Book-It begins their twenty-ninth season with Charlotte Brontë’s exploration of classism, sexuality, and female expression in the Gothic mystery Jane Eyre. Orphaned as a child, Jane musters up the courage to take a governess job at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the brooding Edward Rochester. Though she finds herself captivated by his kind spirit, she is distracted by the strange occurrences at the house. In this revolutionary piece of literature, eponymous heroine Jane maintains her integrity and inner strength as she grows into adulthood. For more information visit http://book-it.org/2018-2019-season.

THE FOREIGNER
Tacoma Little Theatre opens their 100th Season with The Foreigner, running September 14 through 30. Pay-What-You-Can Nights will be held on September 27. This two-act comedy by American playwright Larry Shue has become a staple of professional and amateur theaters. Bethel High School graduate, Blake York, plays the lead character, Charlie, as he focuses on the magic of kindness. For tickets visit http://www.tacomalittletheatre.com.

INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHTS
Three Instrument Rental Nights will take place in our district with two music stores setting up in the Commons at our three comprehensive high schools, making it more convenient for parents of elementary students hoping to play a band or orchestra instrument to obtain information. Representatives from Music & Arts and Ted Brown Music will be on hand to explain their rental plans and have instruments available to rent and take home each evening. Parents may drop in any time between 4:00 and 7:30 pm. The session at Graham-Kapowsin High School will take place on Tuesday, September 18. The session at Bethel High School will be held on Wednesday, September 19. The third rental night will happen on Thursday, September 20, at Spanaway Lake High School. Rental information for each of these music stores is available by visiting http://www.MusicArts.com and http://www.TedBrownMusic.com.

ATTEND THIRD THURSDAY TACOMA ART MINGLE
Tacoma Art Mingle, launched in 1989 by a small but dedicated group of artists and gallery owners, was designed to draw more patronage to Tacoma’s downtown arts scene. Head downtown the third Thursday of every month from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for Tacoma Art Mingle to enjoy extended hours, meet participating artists, and take in the sights at museums and galleries listed on the venues page located at http://www.tacomaartgroup.org/art-mingle. Please let students and families know as these programs provide an accessible and educational experience for non-traditional museum visitors, and attend the next Tacoma Art Mingle on September 20. Also be sure to visit the Restyle Clothing Company (3019 6th Avenue, Suite B, in Tacoma) that evening to view artwork by Evergreen Elementary visual arts specialist Carmen Gadison-Lopez.

TACOMA SINGS WITH THE PUGET SOUND REVELS
Tacoma Sings, a concert of traditional harvest and autumn songs, will be shared on Thursday, September 20, from 6:30 to 7:45 pm, on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and the plazas on either side (starting on the Museum of Glass side and ending in the outdoor amphitheater by the Washington State History Museum). Bring a lantern or candle to light and carry across the bridge and into the amphitheater. Songs will be posted on the Revels’ web page at http://pugetsoundrevels.org and will also be distributed at the event. Puget Sound Revels’ mission is to create community through the arts using traditional song, dance, and story.

FREE MUSEUM DAY ON SEPTEMBER 22
On Saturday, September 22, for one day only, museums across the country will join the Smithsonian Institution in its long-standing tradition of offering free admission to visitors. Participating museums in Pierce County include the Tacoma Art Museum, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Ft. Nisqually Living History Museum, Foss Waterway Seaport, Historic Ft. Steilacoom, and the Museum of Glass. You and your students may apply for an Admission Card and visit Washington’s participating museums page to discover additional museums in our area at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/?no-ist=&state=Washington.

THE MUSIC COMPANY PERFORMS AT THE FAIR SEPTEMBER 22
The Music Company will perform twice on Saturday, September 22, at Noon and 3:00 pm on the Showplace Stage near the Blue Gate entrance of the Washington State Fair. As the only high school group invited to perform on one of the professional stages, do not miss The Music Company at the Fair directed by Sara Forte. For more information about all of the Fair performances visit http://www.thefair.com/fun/free-music-entertainment.

MORE BETHEL STUDENTS & STAFF PERFORM AT THE FAIR
In addition to The Music Company, there are two other groups with Bethel students and staff performing at the Washington State Fair. General maintenance technician Shawn Sandvig directs the Pierce County Community Big Band, performing on the Education Stage on Wednesday, September 12, beginning at 5:00 pm. This group includes student musicians and Bethel graduates playing alongside Puget Sound musicians – for more information about this jazz band visit http://www.piercecountycommunitybigband.com.
The other group performing at the Fair on the same day as The Music Company is the Cascade Community Band, directed by Ruben Watson, with many Bethel students and community members. Their set will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 22, on the Education Stage.

SEPTEMBER EVERGREEN ORFF WORKSHOP
The Evergreen Orff Chapter (EOC) will hold a fall workshop with Tim Wiegand, on Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Bringing Back the Joy will be held at Marvista Elementary (19800 Marine View Drive Southwest in Normandy Park). In this workshop teachers will experience engaging games and simple activities that students will enjoy. Teachers will sing, dance, play recorders and barred instruments, create, and practice classroom management techniques. More information about this and upcoming Orff workshops are online at http://www.evergreenorffchapter.com. Come discover your voice through the Schulwerk!

ZERO LANDFILL UP- CYCLING EVENT
Zero Landfill is an award winning up-cycling program held seasonally to support the supply needs of local artists and arts educators while reducing pressure on local landfill capacity. The pounds of materials diverted from the landfill are celebrated as the materials have a second life in the community – the materials are kept intact and re-used for another purpose – to make art! The event is held at the Miller Community Center Gym (330 19th Avenue in Seattle). Drop-off Day is Friday, September 28, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Material Harvest Day is Saturday, September 29, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Clean-Up/Up-Cycle Day is Monday, October 1, from 8:00 am to Noon. Check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SeattleZeroLandfill.

TARGET K-12 FIELD TRIPS
Public school personnel are eligible to apply for grant-funded field trips involving museums, historical sites, and cultural organizations through the Target K-12 Field Trip Grants program. Target will award up to 5,000 grants of up to $700 to fund a field trip for students during the 2018-19 school year. Since launching the program in 2007, Target has awarded grants in all fifty states with the opportunity to enhance over two million students with the opportunity to enhance their studies in the arts, math, science, and social studies. Grants are intended to fund visits to art, science, and cultural museums; community service or civic projects; career enrichment opportunities; and other events or activities away from the school facility. Submit applications electronically by October 1. To apply visit https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/grants/field-trip-grants. Be sure to inform your principal and Gretchen Russo (253) 683-6078 when you apply for this grant or any grant opportunity.

ALL BETHEL COMMUNITY DAY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6
Plans have begun for the tenth annual All Bethel Community Day (ABC Day) that will be held on Saturday, October 6, at Bethel High School, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This fun-filled day will give our families a chance to see all the wonderful things our community has to offer. There will be booths and displays of family, health, and social services, as well as fun activities for all ages at this FREE event. Planners of the event are looking for performing groups to display student talent in several performance areas in Bethel High School’s auditorium and Commons. For more information contact Michael Sandner (253) 683-6957 or Jay Brower (253) 683-6052, and visit the ABC Day Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BethelABCday.

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM
Plan for the coming school year with the Seattle Art Museum’s exciting programs for educators in mind. SAM provides creative learning opportunities for students and teachers including school tours and art workshops, teacher in-service training, and educator previews. Sign up early for these programs by visiting http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/programs-and-learning/schools-and-educators!

SCHOOL TOUR PROGRAM AT THE TACOMA ART MUSEUM
The Tacoma Art Museum’s guided and self-guided school tours provide students with an in-depth exploration of a specific current exhibition and relevant, accompanying art concepts. A two-hour tour can accommodate up to sixty students with an interactive gallery visit and a hands-on art lesson. Pre- and post-visit curriculum guides containing images, lesson plans, and background information will help teachers prepare their students for the museum visit and integrate the museum experience into the classroom curriculum. All curriculum guides are downloadable for free. Partial scholarships are available to school-wide Title I schools. Register early in order to best secure your desired date and time. To arrange a school tour call (253) 722-2455, or online at http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/education/school-tours.

SEATTLE REP STUDENT MATINEES FOR 2018-2019
When you book a student matinee at Seattle Rep, you have access to two complimentary workshops (before and after the performance) with an experienced teaching artists, as well as access to their online Play Guides, linking the themes of each show to learning targets and Common Core Standards. Below is a list of plays that will be presented on various dates throughout the 2018-19 school year, all beginning at 10:30 am. For more information visit http://www.seattlerep.org/Programs/Education/StudentMatinees/Default.
A People’s History – October 25
A Thousand Splendid Suns – November 1 & 8
In the Heights – December 6, 13, & 20
Last of the Boys – February 7
The Woman in Black – March 14
A Doll’s House – April 18 & 25
Nina Simone: Four Women – May 9

REGISTER FOR BROADWAY CENTER’S EDUCATION MATINEES
As our Kennedy Center Partner in Education, the Broadway Center’s focus is to bring the best theater and learning experiences to our students. All of their school time matinee shows are linked to Washington State’s Arts Learning Standards and have education guides for classroom preparation and reflections. To learn more about pricing and transportation support, visit http://www.broadwaycenter.org/education/student-matinees#how-education-matinees-work-2, or call their Box Office at (253) 591-5894. Below is the line-up of Education Matinees for the 2018-19 school year. All student matinees are performed at 10:00 am and 12:15 pm, in the Pantages or Rialto.
Ailey II – March 1
The One & Only Ivan – March 12
Beauty & the Beast – March 14
Dragons Love Tacos & Other Stories – March 18
Doktor Kaboom: It’s Just Rocket Science – April 17
México Diverso – April 26

TWO IMPORTANT REMINDERS – DATES AND PERSONAL ITEMS
When you have dates for performances in your building, please let Mike Sandner (msandner@bethelsd.org), and Laura Roberts (lroberts@bethelsd.org), the Arts Education office assistant, know so they may be placed on the district calendar. As you create your performance schedules please avoid the dates for the All-District Festivals, as well as the Battle of the Books dates: March 19, 2019 for middle schools and May 9, 2019 for elementary schools. All attempts should be made to avoid conflicts with feeder school performances as well.
Personal items are not covered by district insurance unless they are used for classroom instruction, and then coverage only applies during the actual school year. To have items covered by the district’s insurance policy, you must complete an Inventory of Personal Equipment that may be obtained from your school’s secretary. This list must be updated each year to be valid.

ARTS-INFUSED CONFERENCE
Arts Impact is offering a two-day fall conference for Pre-K through 8th grade classroom teachers and specialists entitled Launching Into Engagement: Project-Based Learning and the Arts at the Puget Sound Educational Service District’s Blackwater Training and Conference Center (800 Oakesdale Avenue Southwest in Renton) on Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. These two days will be a sampling of what the full two-year Arts Impact professional learning program has to offer. Arts Impact trains PreK-8 classroom teachers and specialists how to teach visual and performing arts skills and concepts, as well as how to integrate these ideas across the curriculum, providing all students pathways to success. For more information and to register visit http://arts-impact.org/arts-infused-conference-agenda-registration. Clock hours available. Registration materials may be found at http://arts-impact.org.

DISTRICT FESTIVAL DATES
The District Art Festival is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Spanaway Lake High School in conjunction with the district’s annual Technology Fair. Student artwork from all schools will be on display and prizes will be awarded.
The District Choral Festival will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, with a concert beginning at 6:30 pm at PLU’s Olson Auditorium. A rehearsal for elementary choir students will be held at Liberty Middle School on Thursday, March 21, and a rehearsal for participating secondary choral students will be held the day of the Festival at PLU.
The District Orchestra Festival is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 7:00 pm at PLU’s Olson Auditorium and involves orchestra students from every school, rehearsing in Olson’s field house and gymnasium during the day and presenting a concert that evening.
The District Band Festival is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2019, at 7:00 pm at PLU’s Olson Auditorium and involves band students from every school. Students will rehearse in Olson’s field house and gymnasium during the day and present a concert in the evening.
Please mark all school calendars with these dates.

HAPPIER STUDENTS, HIGHER SCORES WITH ARTS INTEGRATION
Check out this article about arts integration: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-lynch-edd/happier-students-higher-s_b_5253531.html?utm_hp_ref=education&ir=Education.

EXPRESSIONS IS YOUR NEWSLETTER!
This document is a bi-weekly arts information newsletter for staff members by staff members so please be sure to have any dates, information, or articles you would like included to Mike or Laura at the ESC. They will include it in EXPRESSIONS’ electronic version that is emailed two times each month on Wednesdays. If you have any comments or suggestions, please share them with us and help this be a useful tool for you!

FINAL THOUGHT
The simple fact is, every child in this country needs and deserves access to the subjects that go into being a well-rounded, well-educated person. Music and art; world language; physics, chemistry, and biology; social studies, civics, geography and government; physical education and health; coding and computer science – these aren’t luxuries that are just nice to have. They’re what it means to be ready for today’s world. Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King

–Michael J. Sandner, Director of Arts Education & Curriculum Integration
Bethel School District #403