Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is partnering with Arts for Learning Maryland to bring arts-integrated learning experiences into the classrooms of elementary and middle school students. The artist-led programs will launch in schools during the 2022-2023 school year.
The three-year partnership ushers in more than 30 residencies, assemblies and professional development workshops from more than 15 Arts for Learning-trained teaching artists. Teachers and CCPS staff will also have access to professional development programs led by artists in an effort to bring more creativity into classrooms.
“Now more than ever, our students need arts-integrated learning that develops each individual’s social and emotional learning skills by developing their self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills and social awareness,” Andrew Blumhardt, CCPS instructional specialist for fine and performing arts, said.
Arts in Learning Maryland — previously known as Young Audiences of Maryland — is part of the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network which was founded in 1952 to inspire children to expand their learning through the arts, according to the nonprofit’s website.
Among the programs the Arts in Learning Maryland will bring to CCPS students are Jamaal “Mr. Root” Collier’s Rap Flavored English, which uses rhyme and rhythm to expand students’ reading and writing skills. Katherine Dilworth will guide students as they make needle-felted squares during Felted Square Story. The interactive process shows students how a simple creative process can express complex ideas. During Lutindo: Building Cultural Bridges Through Dance and Storytelling, the artist Ssuuna will lead students in an original dance routine after they learn how African culture compares with other cultures while examining geography, instruments and traditions.
“We celebrate Charles County Public Schools for valuing arts education, and for making arts integration a high priority for their student’s academic experience,” Jessica Smith Hebron, chief program officer of Arts for Learning Maryland, said. “We look forward to providing dynamic and memorable educational arts experiences for the amazing students, teachers and artists who will participate in this multi-year partnership.”
To learn more about Arts for Learning Maryland, visit https://www.artsforlearningmd.org/.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).