December 14, 2022
Keeping arts in the classroom
Around Town
COMMUNITY VOICES By Sharon Cotner. Pg. 2
Features (FLIP) Photo courtesy Jennings School District Sherry Jones, a junior high school music teacher in the Jennings School District, works with students at the Jennings School District Early Childhood Fine Arts Department’s first pre-kindergarten piano recital this month.
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1
Jennings School District starts Early Childhood Fine Arts Department to help young leaners benefit from engaging in the arts By Wendy Todd Studies show that students engaging in arts education experience multiple benefits including higher academic performance, lower dropout rates and increased self-esteem. Research regarding arts education for early childhood students has shown it can help them cultivate critical abilities such as enhanced cognitive skills and provide benefits in emotional and social development. Arts in education was first introduced into public school curriculum in 1821. Massachusetts was the first state to integrate arts
education into the general education program in 1860. It wasn’t until 1990 that the Missouri Arts Education Task Force “established a comprehensive plan to include the arts as a basic component of every child’s education.” The Jennings school district recognizes the importance of the arts in education, particularly for young learners and recently created an Early Childhood Fine Arts Department. The Jennings School District, which was founded in 1871, is located in North St. Louis County and has over 3,000 K-12 students.
CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3
The district is comprised of eight schools and one alternative program. Under the leadership of Sherry Jones, junior high school music teacher at the district, the new department is helping young leaners benefit from engaging in the arts. The department had its first pre-kindergarten piano recital this month. The inaugural recital featured 24 students ages four through five and was a rousing success, even inspiring some parents to support continued piano lessons at home. See ‘ARTS’ page 2
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Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
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