arts at seth boyden

The arts are an integral part of a Seth Boyden education. We believe that the arts are a serious subject in their own right, as well as an effective tool to improve student learning and academic achievement in other core subject areas. We believe that a well-rounded sequential arts education program improves student motivation and achievement, as well as school climate.

At Seth Boyden, the arts are explored as a stand-alone subject in our weekly specials classes and integrated into regular classroom instruction. We also offer numerous arts-based activities during recess and as a part of our after school enrichment program. During the year, students attend three to four theater, movement, or music-based school assemblies. As a part of the PTA Readathon a children's author is invited to speak. Students also participate in field trips to local museums and performances. For the 2007-2008 school year we will be entering into a partnership with the New Victory Theater in Manhattan. As a component of this partnership, New Vic artists will be coming to Seth Boyden to present pre- and post-performance workshops with our students.
 
The extensive arts program at Seth Boyden has played an important role in both increasing and deepening levels of family involvement. Parents, many of whom are artists themselves, are invited into the classroom to serve as helpers or as leaders in arts-based activities. They serve as volunteers in recess clubs with focuses, such as drawing or yoga, and as staff members in our after school enrichment program. Our teachers regularly end their thematic units with student performances and exhibits, giving their students the chance to shine in front of family members.
 
At Seth Boyden the Arts are offered through:
 
-Regular Classroom Instruction
-Weekly Specials in Visual Arts, Music, and Physical Education
-2nd Grade Readers Theater Program
-3rd Grade Recorder Program
-4th and 5th Grade Instrumental Music and Chorus Programs
-5th Grade Musical
-5th Grade Legacy Project
-Grade-Based and School-Wide Artist-in-Residencies
-After School Enrichment Program
-Recess Programs
 
As a part of our continual effort to improve the education we offer, our administration and staff are currently working on making our arts education more sequential, on aligning it more carefully with curricular objectives, on providing and integrating more dance and movement-based activities, and on developing more effective, long-lasting partnerships with outside artists and arts-based organizations.