[DOE-Arts] Happy Spring!

[Argy Nestor]

Some folks have asked me: "Now that the meartsed blog is underway,  
will you continue to communicate by email like  you did every two  
weeks when the newsletter went out?"   YES, I will!

Here is my plan:
	* I will send you an email every week or so and let you know the  
highlights of the blog.
	* And, I will send emails when there is information that I REALLY  
want all of you to see/read.  For example, the email I sent earlier  
today about the upcoming Visual Thinking Strategies workshop.
	* I will also include in the email other types of information that  
may not fit well in the blog.  Like I have below.

There are two new blog posts since last I emailed you:
1) 'Making the newspaper' about the State Finals of the Maine Drama  
Festival
2) "Middle Level Education Report Released" about the report called  
'Bright Futures'  that the Commission on Middle Level Education  
completed and the new middle level webpages at the Department

Two IMPORTANT requests from arts educators:
1) Art teacher Kate Mochon from Noble High School in North Berwick  
writes:
	"Is it best practice to have an art dept in charge of yearbook?  Our  
art department absorbed the yearbook two 	years ago and the question  
is on the table again as to whether or not two semesters of yearbook  
belongs 		within our department.  Is it a common practice for art  
departments to absorb yearbooks?"
If you can help answer Kate's questions PLEASE email her at kmochon at sad60.k12.me.us

2) Principal and Assistant Superintendent Denise Plante in Jackman  
writes:
	"I am starting the process of buying new stage curtains and would  
love to contact a school who may have just 	gone through the process  
to get a recommendation from a company.  Do you have any info that can  
help?"
If you can help Denise PLEASE email her at planted at sad12.com

  PLEASE be sure and take a few minutes on the blog.  There are many  
topics to "comment" on and many new professional development  
opportunities, student opportunities and upcoming events listed.

Thank you for all you do for our Maine kids and Arts Education!

Make it a great last week in March - Music in Our Schools Month, Youth  
Art Month and Arts Advocacy Month,
Argy

Argy Nestor
Visual and Performing Arts Specialist
http://meartsed.wordpress.com/
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
207-624-6825
fax: 207-624-6821
argy.nestor at maine.gov
http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/