VAPA Newsletter
August/September 2024
Corvallis Bulldogs can take Jazz Band during zero period this year!
Corvallis music teacher, Lauren Johnson, guides students to use the skill of improvisation. "Students had two measures of 4 beats each and used up to three notes along with different rhythmic ideas. Students with more knowledge of jazz chose to play more advanced ideas! Improvising is creating music on the spot while using specific guidelines of note choices. This is only their second day working on improvising! It is a fantastic way for musicians to build confidence, use their own ideas and showcase their personalities!"
La Mirada High School VAPA Summer Trip to Europe
LMHS Art teachers, Alicia Rolon and Ruth Ohlson, chaperoned students on a European field trip this summer with EF Tours. Students set out in June for a 10-day trip and an experience of a lifetime that included exploring new places, cultures and art while forging new connections with friends. Students were eager to find their inspiration as they became global community members of Rome, Florence and Paris for two weeks. The Italian leg of the "Artists of Italy & France" tour included the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence. In France students visited the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, Luxembourg Gardens, Musee d' Orsay, Les Champs Elysées, and more. What an incredible experience they had!
Benton named "Art Schools Network Exemplary Art School"
Benton Middle School was honored at the September 9th School Board Meeting for earning a 5-year designation as an Art Schools Network Exemplary School. ASN designates exemplary schools in recognition of outstanding efforts in strategically evaluating their purpose, operations, plans, and educational programs. The Arts Schools Network Board of Directors have invited Benton as one of eleven schools to be formally recognized at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. this October. Well done Benton Middle School!
NLMUSD High School Marching Bands to March in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade
If you haven't already heard, the marching Bands from John Glenn, La Mirada and Norwalk High Schools have been selected to march with the 605 All Star Band at the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on January 1st. This honor will showcase our exceptional NLMUSD music programs. Bands were selected by the Rose Parade Association's volunteer members, and are based on musicianship, marching ability and entertainment value. NLMUSD will join others bands from as far away as Denmark, Japan, Mexico and Panama.
NLMUSD high school marching bands are already busy building stamina for the 6 mile walk. Their first rehearsal with all 545 members will be on October 13th. Color guard and percussion students are preparing for their audition/placement day on September 29th. VAPA news will continue to follow and report back on this exciting journey for our NLMUSD marching bands!
September 15th - October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month!
Hispanic Heritage Month started on September 15th, and will honor the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This month celebrates the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, with roots spanning over 20 different countries.
The LA County of Office Education explains the difference between "Hispanic" and "Latino": "Latino highlights cultural diversity from Latin America America, while "Hispanic" focuses on the linguistic connection, especially the Spanish Language. According to data reported by the LACOE, Hispanic/Latinx students represent the largest racial/ethnic group among the state's student population and in L.A. County make up 65% of the TK12 public school enrollment.
NLMUSD Art teachers, Luis Vega (Norwalk High School) and Alicia Villegas (La Mirada High School), have both developed sections of Chicanx Art History at their school sites. This two semester course introduces students to the past and present visual art history of Chicano/a artists living in the United States with a focus on the history of Chicano/a artistic production that incudes painting, drawing, architecture, photography and film.
For lesson plans and more information about Hispanic and Latin arts and culture see the resource section below. Please share back any projects in process or completed for our next newsletter and VAPA IG account!
Allow us to Introduce Ourselves 🎭 🎨
Please contact us for VAPA support! You can book us through Calendly links provided via email. The link to report events for the VAPA master calendar, monthly newsletter, and VAPA Instagram account is below.
Jennifer Hodge and Jennifer Nitschke
Follow VAPA on Instagram @nlmarts
Riverside Art Museum, The Cheech
Have you visited The Cheech Museum at the Riverside Arts Museum? The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture opened in June 2022 as a public-private partnership between RAM, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin- one of the world's foremost collectors of Chicano Art. Check out their current exhibits here.
RAM Art History/Projects https://riversideartmuseum.org/exhibitions/UCR Gluck Free Resources: Scroll down for Mexican Art History/Projects.
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
Visual Arts teachers...have you joined the National Arts Education Association?
The NAEA can provide resources for new and established art teachers through conferences, blogs and books. They can even help you start an Arts Honor Society at your school site or help your students find scholarships.
Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts education professionals.
Drama Teachers...have you joined the Education Theatre Association?
The Educational Theatre Association, home to the Educational Theatre Foundation and International Thespian Society, is an international nonprofit whose mission is to inspire theatre educators to transform lives.
EdTA offers Theatre Education Conferences, the International Thespian Festival (ITF), Chapter festivals and conferences, and other professional support for educators.