Arts instruction increases achievement across all disciplines and develops the whole child. What will you do as a school committee member to champion arts education for our youth both in our schools and communities? How will you balance the importance of arts education with the constant pull to teach to the test?

Your statement that arts instruction increases achievement across all disciplines and develops the whole child is “spot” on. I have been espousing that statement in all of my discussions as a school committee member and by attending many arts programs at our schools. I believe we should not focus only on MASC testing, for our job as educators is to develop the “whole child.” Maintaining the arts is a necessary for a great education and is a crucial part of a child’s life in school. I have worked on that belief as a principal and now as a school committee member. We need to continue the conversation to establish and support programs that enhance the arts. I have continued to support the arts by placing agenda items on the school calendar to inform the public of the talent we have within our district. Whether we are talking about music, art or drama our schools are succeeding in helping to make education stimulating and vibrant. All aspects of the arts are educational and make children excited and eager to participate. The arts are alive and well within the Worcester Public Schools and everyone needs to look for ways of giving these programs additional attention and funding.