“Department of Music & Fine Arts Fall, 2020 Re-Opening Suggestions”
Longwood Central School District
Middle Island, New York
Description
Staff collaborated to create a document consisting of authentic research that assisted us in the continuation of our delivery of a quality, sequential, standards-based arts education.
It acted as a guide for our district’s Reopening Task Force and was part of the plan submitted to the State Education Department in Albany.
Its overall purpose was to offer suggestions as to HOW the Longwood Central School District could temporarily change the delivery of arts education to students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in preparation for a return to normalcy.
Objectives
To explain the science behind the performing arts, addressing concerns with airborne and saliva-based bacteria, to highlight the social and emotional component of performing, addressing concerns of large indoor group gatherings, and a plan to hold outdoor concerts and events to maintain our programs.
Target Audience
The target audience was our board of education, district administrators, community members, parents and state education officials. The focus was to bring to light other aspects of our performing arts program that may not be seen or considered by non-arts educators, including health and safety concerns, aerosols, social distancing, student emotional ties to performing, and more.
Timeline
The document was written while staff was quarantined during the spring of 2020. It was prepared in time to submit it to district officials – and those from the state education department – by August, 2020.
Overview of Planning and Execution
Teachers assisted me in contributing their thoughts and concerns to the document. Comments were synthesized, organized and included in the document. Those teaching band, orchestra, chorus, general music, studio art and secondary-level art electives participated. The overall timeline took five (5) months or so.
Tools and Resources
Tools and resources were compiled as authentic research and gathered from the Centers for Disease Control, the National Federation of High Schools, research compiled by NAfME, Percussive Arts Society, American Bandmasters Association, Peabody Institute, the Every Student Succeeds Act, New York State Department of Health, and more.
Marketing and Promotion
Administrative colleagues and members of our board of education enthusiastically accepted this document as a sign of respect for our program and the need to continue providing arts instruction in a safe manner. Fourteen of the Seventeen pages in the document were included in a larger document published by the school district and submitted to the New York State Department of Education as part of our re-opening plan.
Costs
No expenditures were incurred.
Challenges/Obstacles
No challenges were encountered. Staff, when they learned of the initiative to create the document, enthusiastically contributed their thoughts and concerns as to how the program would continue. It was a true collaboration of teachers and administrators.
Success/Effectiveness Measurement
We believe our initiative was effective. Our program continued – and was enhanced since the fall of 2020. Our fourth grade beginning music program was moved from before and after school back into the school day, our stage plays and musicals, and concerts and festivals continued – some held outdoors, and we initiated a school-based Harp education curriculum.
Community Impact
As previously stated, we believe our initiative was effective. Our program continued – and was enhanced since the fall of 2020. Our fourth grade beginning music program was moved from before and after school back into the school day, our stage plays and musicals, and concerts and festivals continued – some held outdoors, and we initiated a school-based Harp education curriculum.
Advice for others?
We are willing to share our thoughts, ideas, research and results with anyone who is interested.