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LGUSD will received $20,000 from state earmarked for arts
By Jason Baker
Los Gatos Union School District students soon will have a bit more art with their academic studies, thanks to recently approved funds from the state.
Suzanne Sanders, LGUSD assistant superintendent, on Sept. 14 informed district trustees that the school district had been approved for $20,000 in state funds earmarked for arts development.
Officials in April submitted an application to the state's Visual and Performing Arts Education Grant Program in hopes of obtaining funding for its Arts as Literacy program. The purpose of the program, Sanders said, is to train teachers to use the arts as a tool to enhance literacy development. Administrators received notification at the start of the fall semester that the state would fund the program.
"Our district traditionally has placed a real emphasis on the arts, even in times of limited funding," said superintendent Mary Ann Park. Administrators believe that a strong foundation in art skills and education in the arts will enhance students' ability to think creatively and solve problems. "The arts round out a person's life. Research seems to show a strong correlation between exposure to the arts and an increased ability among students to learn and perform well," she said.
The Arts and Literacy program represents the first step in developing both an expanded district art curriculum and creating an artistic approach to learning by adding artistic endeavors to the academic program. Officials have formed a development team consisting of district representatives, a representative from the San Jose Museum of Art and members of the Art Docents of Los Gatos.
For more than 25 years, the Art Docents have partnered with the district to provide art history and art appreciation curricula for district students. Many of the docents are district parents, and, Park said, the district will continue to collaborate with the volunteers in the development of new programs.
"We're very lucky to have the Art Docents support us," Park said.
In addition to the funds received from the state, the district has applied the Cultural Initiatives of Silicon Valley's "Greenhouse Grants" program for an additional $30,000 in arts funding. Park said she was unsure when the district would receive notification on the additional grants.
Also on Sept. 14, trustees approved a resolution supporting the construction of a new aquatic facility at Los Gatos High School. The resolution will be used by the Los Gatos Community Pool Foundation as an endorsement showing community support for the project.
Park said LGUSD students would benefit from the new facility through expanded access to recreation programs and activities provided by the facility. Organizers hope to begin construction of the facility next June. Barring delays, the pool is slated to open in the spring of 2001.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
