Framingham Fine and Performing Arts
Outstanding Arts Education for Every Child
January 31, 2021
Here we go! I will be in as many schools as possible on Monday and Tuesday. I will find you but if you need me- email, call, text or Remind me. I will get to you. Please do something for yourself today. It is National Hot Chocolate Day (download a recipe at the end of this newsletter) and it is freezing. A perfect way to enjoy your day. Or take a nap, watch a movie, read, do some yoga, zoom with a friend or call me! Excitement mixed with trepidation- I get it. Let me help. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Google Doc
This is for questions and answers about our return. I want to be as transparent and supportive as possible. Please refer to this document, add to it and check it as often as needed. I promise you I am here to support you but your first line of communication should always be your building principal. They really, REALLY want to make this work for you and our kids. You simply cannot imagine the hours they have put in to get ready for Monday! There will be bumps for sure but if we remain positive, kind and with kids in mind, we have got this.
Some welcome back tips!
Welcome back
- Model good coping behaviors for students – calm, honest, and caring
- Take care of yourself and know your limits
- Provide clear information for families as soon as possible
- Express empathy for students, parents and colleagues
- Gradual rollout. Curriculum isn't as important as kids!
- Ask for help if you need it. You are not alone. You are the best teachers I know.
Classroom Resources
Resources for every arts teacher
I know you have a lot on your plate but take a minute and look at your discipline in this document. There are a plethora of supports for Dance, Music, Art and Theatre. Use them. Take something off your plate. Some of these could be great asynchronous ideas for tomorrow and Tuesday and/or great resources for the kids in remote once you are doing concurrent teaching! Let me know if you do find anything and if you need any support in making these resources come to life!
Lesson Plans for Black History Month
Although this is a music specific site it has lots of opportunities from multidisciplinary lessons
Spying STEAM Projects from a Theatre Balcony
Watch this
I am including this again. If you didn't watch it last week- this would be the day. It is a great approach to concurrent teaching. Take the time. It will give you strategies.
Catlin Tucker Concurrent Classroom Kick off Message
Please sign the pledge.
National Arts Education Campaign
Arts ARE Education is a new national campaign in support of arts education for all students
Sign the pledge below and click on the link above please and pass it along!
Visits on Monday Feb 1 and Tuesday Feb 2.
As you prepare to return to your school I am hoping to visit and support you on Monday and Tuesday. Dr Tremblay is giving us these days (you should be providing asynchronous work for your classes) so we can prepare for our students. For elementary especially that means a new practice- teaching from a cart. It is my hope to get to all 9 elementary schools over those two days to check in and see what I can do to help. If you have a preference of day or time (or already know you need something) please let me know. I will be asking Ellen to create a schedule for me and I will share it with you.
My job, my only job, is to support teachers. Let me help.
I know we have cart shortages at some schools. I will work on that on Monday morning.
Kudos to Mark Ragusa!
Take a look and band teachers please add an encouraging comment to these videos. Thanks to Principal Wolpe for sharing this!
Please take this survey. We need the data! Thanks to those of you who completed it already
Statewide Visual Art and Theatre Recognitions
Please take the time to look at the slideshows below. FHS visual arts and performing arts students are recognized for excellence even in a virtual world. Congratulations to the student artists, performers and the teachers who guided them. That includes all teachers K-12. Chris, Adrianne, Dan and Scott may have been present with them this year but one of you sparked their love of the arts early on. Remember that. Enjoy!
Donna A Wresinski
Director, Fine and Performing Arts Department
Email: dwresinski@framingham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Domain/74
Phone: 508 782 7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FraminghamFPA/