<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>Good Morning! I hope you're enjoying the August weather. I know some folks have returned to school and many of you are moving in that direction! I hope you are having fun, wherever you are!</div><div><br></div><div>We are busy planning the statewide arts education conference for October 8th and 9th. Carol Trimble from the Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Paul Faria from the Maine Arts Commission and representatives from the Maine Music Educators Association, Maine Art Education Association, vsaArts of Maine, Maine Dance and Drama Council are part of the planning committee. Thursday, the 8th will be a celebration of arts education and most importantly all of you, the educators. On Friday we have a keynote planned by the 2007 National Teacher of the Year Music Educator, Andrea Peterson, from Washington state and workshops presented by arts educators from throughout Maine. Registration opens on September 1st and the cost is $75.00 (some scholarships available). Don't delay! You can read more information at <a href="http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/news.html">http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/news.html</a> We hope you will join us at Point Lookout in Northport.</div><div><br></div><div>Below are the latest blog posts since you heard from me last. Along with the posts there are new listings under Upcoming Events, Prof and Student Opps, and Research. If you have any news you'd like me to include in the future please send it to me at <a href="mailto:argy.nestor@maine.gov">argy.nestor@maine.gov</a></div><div><br></div><div>If you have a new email address due to reorganization please let me know asap. Thank you to those who have communicated with me about this.</div><div><br></div><div>If you are interested in having your student art work displayed at the Department of Education offices in Augusta please let me know.</div><div><br></div><div>Blog posts:</div><div>** Piano Duet- a 90 year old couple play "Old Grey Bonnet"</div><div>** Edupunks and Changes in Education-how technology is changing education</div><div>** Letter from the Secretary of Education-Secretary Duncan writes to school and education leaders about the importance of arts education</div><div>** Arts and Cognition: Findings Hint at Relationships-The Dana Foundation research on the Arts and relationship to academic achievement</div>** American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-Information on federal funds<div>** Missing the Quotes!<div>** No Future Left Behind-Video created by students </div><div>** Welcome Address-Dr. Karl Paulnack, pianist & Director of the Music Division at Boston Conservatory speech<br><div apple-content-edited="true"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div>** Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium-incredible sculptures being created right before your eyes</div><div>** "Why California Must Fund Music Education"-article on California music education</div><div>** Parish Maps-England to America-Fascinating project</div><div>** Statewide Arts Educators Conference-The Arts Connect!- information on the upcoming conference- October 8,9th</div><div>** Congrats to Music Educator Jayne Sawtelle- finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year</div><div><br></div><div>Happy New School Year!</div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Make it a great day,<br>Argy<br><br>Argy Nestor<br>Visual and Performing Arts Specialist<br><a href="http://meartsed.wordpress.com/">http://meartsed.wordpress.com/</a><br>Maine Department of Education<br>23 State House Station<br>Augusta, ME 04333-0023<br>207-624-6825<br>fax: 207-624-6821<br><a href="mailto:argy.nestor@maine.gov">argy.nestor@maine.gov</a><br><a href="http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/">http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/</a><br><br>"The Arts Connect" statewide Arts Education Conference-October 8,9, 2009<a href="http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/news.html">http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/news.html</a></div><div><br></div></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> </div><br></div></div></body></html>