[DOE-Arts] ARTS NEWSLETTER #12

[Nestor, Argy]

 <<Newsletter #12.doc>>  <<Castine.doc>>        <<Mike Davis.doc>>  
ARTS NEWSLETTER #12-10 July 2007
GREETINGS FROM ARGY'S CUBBY with a view of the STATE HOUSE DOME at the
Department of Education

ARGY's NEWS
I hope you are enjoying your summer break!  The view from the cubby has
been  grey this week.  On sunny days I try to have lunch on the capitol
steps where the view across the river is beautiful.  I was fortunate to
travel to Washington D.C. to the Model Schools conference last week with
Commissioner Gendron and a team from the MDOE.  The conference was
sponsored by the International Center for Leadership in Education.  To
learn more about the research and practices of the center please click
here: http://www.leadered.com/

NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is now being mailed electronically to 472 educators, 15
more than were receiving it two weeks ago. If you are interested in
reviewing back issues of the newsletter click on:
http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe-arts/
If you know of others that wish to receive the newsletter please ask
them to email me argy.nestor at maine.gov

CASTINE: AUGUST 1,2,3-DON'T WAIT!!!
The registration deadline for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative
Teacher/Leader Institute is looming! The Institute will be held at the
Maine Maritime Academy in Castine with David Warlick as keynote speaker
and presenter... DAYS FILLED WITH GREAT CONTENT in extended learning
sessions, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and project-based learning,
using 21st Century tools. Registration deadline is Thursday, July 12.
For more information please see the attached information or click on
http://www.mainelearns.org/ The cost is $190.00, double occupancy. 

STATE-WIDE ARTS CONFERENCE-OCT. 5, 6, 2007
AT THE CREATIVE CENTER
THE ARTS IN MAINE SCHOOLS
Plans for the state-wide arts conference sponsored by the Maine
Department of Education (MDOE), The Maine Alliance for Arts Education
(MAAE) and the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) partnering with Maine Art
Education Association (MAEA), Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA),
Maine Drama Council (MDC) Dance Education in Maine Schools (DEMS) and
VSA arts of Maine (VSA) are underway.  We've had over 50 outstanding
proposals submitted to present at the conference.  Thank you to everyone
that submitted the necessary paperwork. Thank you also to everyone who
is interested in attending.  I have received many emails and phone calls
requesting information. This Friday, July 13th we are having an all day
planning meeting where our work will continue. With any luck and much
work the registration information and conference details will be
available by August 1st. Please watch in this newsletter for more
information.   And by all means email argy.nestor at maine.gov or call
624-6825 with questions.

REORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
There have been many questions about the district reorganization.  When
the hearings are completed at the end of this week department personnel
will have traveled throughout Maine for 26 hearings to share the plans.
I hope you've had a chance to attend a session.  Please go to the
website where you will find the law and a question and answer section:
www.maine.gov/education.  I suggest you check it periodically as more
information becomes available.  If you have questions that are not
answered you may ask a question by emailing:
communications.doe at maine.gov

PAL UPDATE:
The Partners in Arts and Learning Program, better known as the PAL
program, is transitioning to a new format.  During the next school year
the Maine Arts Commission is piloting a program with each of the
following organizations and schools.  At the completion of the year, the
work will be assessed to determine the next steps.  Organizations:
Figures of Speech Theater of Freeport, PCA Great Performances of
Portland, L/A Arts, Lewiston of Auburn, Bangor Symphony Orchestra,
Denmark Arts Council, Denmark.  
Schools: East End School in Portland, Mt. Desert Island High School,
North Haven Community School, MSAD #33 Frenchville - Dr. Levesque
School, MSAD # 67 Lincoln.

MAINE ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION
It has been a delight working with Carol Trimble, Executive Director of
the Maine Alliance for Arts Education.  We are busy planning the fall
arts educators conference.  Shortly conference information will be
posted to their website. For their site please click:
www.maineartseducation.org  I suggest you book mark their link so you
get to the site easily.  They are a great resource for arts education!

NEWS From music teacher MIKE DAVIS
Some of you might remember that Mike received a $4000.00 Maine Arts
Fellowship from the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine
Community Foundation to go to West Africa to study drumming for a month.
Attached is an email Mike sent from Bamako, Mali.  Please keep in mind
that he was typing on a foreign keyboard.  I enjoyed reading his email
and hearing of his travels.  What a wonderful opportunity Mike is
enjoying.  I am sure he will share his stories at the fall arts
conference!

CENTER FOR MAINE CONTEMPORARY ART
The center, located in Rockport, has many wonderful opportunities for
folks, young and old.  Cathy Melio is CMCA's Education Director and can
be contacted at cmelio at cmcanow.org .  If you haven't been to their site,
I suggest you take a look by clicking here: http://www.artsmaine.org/

KAREN MONTANARO
Many years ago when my son's were 4 and 7 years old (they're now 17 and
20) my husband and I traveled in a snowstorm for our annual trip to
Portland for an overnight during the Christmas holidays.  We went to
Portland High School to see the Nutcracker where Karen Montanaro was a
lead ballerina in the performance.  I was in awe of her beauty!  During
the intermission her husband, Tony invited the children to join him in
front of the stage where he had each child learn to mime. What a delight
watch this fine performance.  My older son was fascinated.  Recently I
met Karen for the first time and we had a delightful conversation over a
cup of tea.  She will be joining us at the fall arts conference to share
some of the work she is presently doing.  If you'd like to learn more
about Karen's work please click here: http://www.mimetheatre.com/

NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Music teacher Andrea Peterson, the National Teacher of the Year from
Washington state, recently spoke with U.S. Secretary of Education,
Margaret Spellings about music and No Child Left Behind.  Please click
here to listen to the conversation:
http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/2007/ntoty.html

QUOTE OF THE NEWSLETTER
We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but
a habit. 
Aristotle

Make it a great summer,
Argy
Argy Nestor
Visual and Performing Arts Specialist
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
207-624-6825
fax: 207-624-6821
argy.nestor at maine.gov




 

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