Chicago Charter School Gives Students A Voice Through A Symphony
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: In Chicago, charter schools are making a difference through programs traditional public schools likely wouldn’t even consider. |
As Jodie Cantrell of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools explained, charters support students and teachers by “giving them a voice,” allowing teachers to put their passion intro projects that will inspire passion in the students. One of these programs is the symphony at The Catalyst School, furthering their goal to “teach minds and touch hearts.”
Catalyst’s Director of Communications Michael Kasang said, “Our mission aims to nurture well-rounded scholars with bright academic, professional, and personal futures that will become change agents for their communities and world.”
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: In Chicago, charter schools are making a difference through programs traditional public schools likely wouldn’t even consider.
Programs like the symphony foster a community that thrives.
“I believe that families see a school community that provides numerous outlets for their children to find their unique persona, growing academically, social-emotionally, and as an integral member of their school and greater community,” Kasang explained. “We do this through unique learning experiences within the classroom, but also by partnering with numerous other organizations to allow children to experience different artistic mediums and concepts outside of a typical core curriculum.”
When approached by a local music education program about starting a program with Catalyst, they knew it was a great opportunity.
“Ravinia’s Education Director approached us about starting an orchestra at Catalyst Circle Rock, and we were honored and tremendously excited about this partnership and opportunity for our scholars,” Kasang said. “The Ravinia-sponsored school orchestra, The Circle Rockets, provides over 90 scholars with ten hours of after-school weekly classical music instruction. When formed in October 2012, this program was one of four elementary schools implementing the El Sistema orchestra approach nationwide.”
Through the program, these students learn so much more than music.
“They have learned so much,” Kasang said. “Collaboration with their peers, working with teachers that are not their normal “school” teachers, and this does not even speak to the incredible skills that they have acquired in terms of reading and playing music! It is inspirational to watch them perform and the impact it has had on their lives and on our greater school community.”
Performing in the symphony gives them more than just musical talent.
“I think that it has given them incredible collaboration and musical skills, but perhaps even of greater importance is that it has provided them with the opportunity to try something that they were not familiar with and find a unique avenue to express their talents,” Kasang added. “I think that an opportunity like this provides amazing confidence for a scholar, in that it shows them the possibilities that exist in life that they may not have previously considered.”
That is what charter schools and school choice are really about: broadening horizons and opening students to possibilities and opportunities they never thought they’d have.
-------------
Amelia Hamilton is a contributor of Watchdog Arena, Franklin Center’s network of writers, bloggers, and citizen journalists. She is a blogger and author of the Growing Patriots children's books. A lifelong writer and patriot, she also loves hockey, old cars, old movies and apple juice. Amelia has a master’s degree in both English and 18th-century history from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Her dog Virgil is her co-pilot.
Tags: Charter School, Chicago, student voice, Symphony, Amelia Hamilton, Watchdog Arena To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home