Relationships are Key

When preparing for this issue, I came across an intriguing TED Talk by Robert Waldinger with over 44 million views. He’s the current director of a research project that started in 1938, studying what keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life.  The bottom line is that it’s all about good relationships. This reminded me of a concept that I learned years ago from Dr. James P. Comer, Yale’s Child Study Center—“No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”  He often noted that learning in schools is a social activity, and relationships matter. Let’s learn from this research and develop significant relationships to accelerate learning and support happy, healthy living.

With gratitude,

Janet Hayakawa, Associate Director The Arts - Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet.Hayakawa@k12.wa.us Cell/Text: 360-764-6157

Artwork—“Bus Stop” by Heather LaPointe, batik, Superintendent’s High School Art Show, 2009.

Alumni Feature: Corrine Haverinen

In honor of the Art Show’s 50th Anniversary, we will feature past award winners and the role that art has played in their lives.                   

Corrine Haverinen attended Kentridge High School and received an award in the 1974 Superintendent’s High School Art Show for “Indian with Bird”. She studied at Washington State University, earning a B.A. in Fine Arts and later moved to San Francisco where she worked as a graphic artist. It was there that she developed a love for painting trees. “Over the years, I experimented with painting that approached a more abstract bent, but I always return to the trees.  In them, I have found a subject matter and approach of which I never tire.”

In 1996, Corrine moved to Sonoma County, took courses in Photoshop and Web design and started teaching these courses in Computer Studies Department. In 2015, she left teaching to work full time as an Assistive Technology Specialist. Corrine is currently employed at Santa Rosa Junior College, Instructional Accessibility Specialist, Adjunct Faculty, Web Designer, Distance Education Computer Studies. A show of Corinne’s work, "The Language of Trees" is currently on display at the Santa Rosa Junior College Doyle Library. Corrine’s beautiful paintings can be seen at https://www.have-art.net/.

Art -- “Indian with Bird“ by Corrine Haverinen, graphite, Superintendent’s High School Art Show, 1974.

New Educator Endorsement Requirements for Visual and Performing Arts Instruction 

See this addendum to Bulletin No. 047-22 which provides further guidance related to the implementation of ESSB 5878.  This guidance outlines the minimum requirements. Local Education Agency practices that exceed these minimum requirements are encouraged to continue to provide robust arts education for all students.

Iam Tongi is Going to Hollywood!  

A Federal Way Public Schools’ student brought the American Idol judges to tears in a recent audition. Iam Tongi is going to Hollywood for the next level of auditions. Congratulations!

Study Social Justice through Film   

ARRAY 101 is an online education initiative delivering dynamic social impact learning guides for ARRAY Releasing films and ARRAY Filmworks original content including, “Selma”, “Queen Sugar”, “They’ve Gotta Have Us” and more. Available to educational organizations and institutions for free, this resource amplifies storytelling by Black artists, people of color and women directors of all kinds. The learning guides provoke important conversations among students, educators, families, and communities.  This article from Edutopia provides further ideas and links to resources.

Photo—from the film “Selma”, Pictorial Press Ltd, Alamy Stock Photo

SEL and Visual Art Lessons from the MET 

This guide of 30 lessons were designed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) to support students’ ability to connect works of art with their own lives, to practice evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, and to develop their social and emotional skills. K-12 lessons were created in partnership with schools that serve students with disabilities and feature works of art from the museum’s collection. Plans are flexible and can be customized for different content areas.

Artwork—Hippopotamus (“William”). Egypt, 1961-1878 B.C. Metropolitan Museum of Art

Preserving Culture Through Dance

Ukrainian dancers are performing in exile at The Hague, preserving their art and serving as cultural ambassadors while a war rages on in their homeland. Learn more from Jeffery Brown as he profiles the United Ukrainian Ballet. Link to the website here.

Image—“Dancing in Definance: You Can’t Kill the Dance”, United Ukrainian Ballet

Story Drama Links Theatre to ELA for K-3 

This “Click to Teach/Learn” from Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Learning Center is a “how to” guide for educators to provide a creative drama experience based on a story, using simple, mimed actions.  This lesson plan is linked to Arts Learning Standards, and includes a rubric to help assess student learning.

Intersection of Creativity, Art and Social Change

Read about how the Creative Generation is refining their theory of change to address their mission of collaborating “with young creatives and those who cultivate their creativity to take local actions towards global changes in pursuit of a more just world.”

OSPI Resources 

Universal Design for Learning & The Arts – background information, videos, tips and tools

Arts Collection on the Washington Open Educational Resources (OER) Hub—standards-aligned lesson plans and resources.

Workforce Development Program—Deadline Mar 10 

Young adults ages 17 – 25 are eligible to apply for this free, remote education program that will focus on the behind-the scenes aspects of producing live events. The program includes workshops, job shadowing, paid internships and network opportunities. Click here to learn more and to apply.

Video and Essay Contest –Deadline Mar 13

The United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit announces its 2023 Civics Contest, “The 28^th Amendment”.  High school students are invited to submit an essay and/or video about what the next amendment should be and how to get it ratified. Cash prizes. For rules, resource materials, and to submit, click here.

Arts Integration Grant Opportunity for P-3 —Deadline Apr 27

ArtsWA’s Creative Start Project Grant is open to non-profit organizations, public schools, ESDs, and tribal, state, or municipal agencies working with PreK-grade 3 students. This grant supports projects that engage preschool to 3rd grade students in arts integrated learning. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. Learn more and apply here. Application widow: March 15-April 27, 2023.

Celebrate the West Art Competition—Deadline Apr 30

The Western Governors’ Association launches its annual competition sponsored by Americans for the Arts. High school students are challenged to create original works inspired by their state. A panel of arts experts will select one finalist from each state and territory who will go on to compete for overall First, Second and Third Place. Cash awards will be given.  2023 Competition Guidelines and Application

Stronger Connections Grant –Application Guidance  

OSPI recently received additional funding for Title IV, Part A through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA)  of June 2022.  Grants will be distributed to high-need local education agencies (LEAs) on a competitive basis. Application guidance will support stakeholder engagement and planning efforts.  The final application will be open in iGrants sometime in March 2023. Submit questions to titleiva@k12.wa.us  

The Arts Learning Standards Review

Washington’s Arts Learning Standards are scheduled for review in 2024-25. In preparation for this, we’d like to hear from educators. Please share your thoughts, ideas and questions here.

Call for Student Performing Artists

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing a “call” across the United States and its territories for student performing artists who are currently enrolled in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary schools or accredited trade schools, who exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence and are interested in showcasing their talent, virtually or in-person, at internal and external Department-hosted events.  Student performances can be, but are not limited to, bands/marching bands, color guards, soloists, choirs, dancers, poets/spoken word artists, and theatrical performers. Learn more and start a submission here.

Arts for All—Join the Movement!

OSPI, the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), Inspire Washington,  Arts Ed Washington and the Creative Advantage have formed the Arts for All (A4A) Coalition to ensure that all PreK-12 students in Washington State have access to quality arts learning.  A4A seeks to achieve this by developing statewide arts leadership, collecting and analyzing arts education data, and supporting educators and teaching artists through professional learning opportunities. Sign up to stay informed.

Save these Dates!

• WA State Thespian Festival, March 17-18, Western WA University
• The National Art Education Association Convention, April 13-15, San Antonio, TX
• 50^th Anniversary Superintendent’s High School Art Show, May 30, Seattle
• WA State Elementary Music Professional Development Calendar organized by the Washington Music Educators Association