Arts & Humanities are a critical lens through which students view, make sense of and engage with the world around them. Learning about the present by looking at the past, communicating clearly, and thinking about morality and empathy are all better accomplished through the arts than through a regression analysis. As such, the Foundation helps support a rich offering of engaging arts and humanities opportunities for Bronxville students.
Elementary School
Foundation grants help bring the humanities to life for Elementary students. Multi-year partnerships with Lincoln Center and with artist-in-residence programs have allowed students the opportunity to examine and interpret art and literature in a more experiential manner and with expert guidance. Elementary students connected with award-wining author and illustrator Grace Lin in the winter of 2021. During the program, which was funded by a Foundation grant, Lin provided the students with insight into her writing process and the inspirations for her books. Foundation resources have also provided professional development for teachers from K-12 around evolving Common Core standards that require students be able to read text closely, interpret meaning and formulate opinions and arguments. As standards change, so must classroom libraries and resources, so the Foundation has helped to expand collections of decodable texts in several grades.
Middle School
As students enter Middle School, being able to speak and write persuasively, coherently and creatively becomes increasingly important. Through two Foundation grants, Greg Shamie from the Leadership Program has worked with Middle School students to create dynamic and compelling speaking presentations that describe their experience through the lens of the Bronxville Promise -- Leadership, Innovation, Critical Thinking and Engaged Citizenship. The Director of Curriculum and Middle School English teachers also received a Foundation grant to do a phased integration of Columbia Teachers College's Reading and Writing Program in the Middle School. By funding professional development and teaching materials, the Foundation enabled teachers throughout the Middle School to adopt a common rubric, standards and language for teaching writing that gave students clear direction for improving as writers from one grade to the next.
Through a Foundation grant, Social Studies teachers in grades 6-12 also have engaged in curriculum work to align historical thinking skills and enduring issues of history and develop lesson plans focused on annotation and writing skills.
High School
As students enter high school, Foundation grants allow them to enjoy authentic experiences in creating their own art and engaging with art created by others. The High School's Performing Arts Department has received Foundation grants to refurbish the Steinway piano and purchase new musical instruments and acoustical shells for the auditorium. Foundation grants also have funded the purchase of set-building tools and a cutting edge stage projector and screen for the auditorium. Going forward, students will have countless possibilities to stage the previously unstageable.
Foundation grants also have funded visiting coaches and composers at the school. Professional chamber music coaches help prepare student groups to compete in the Young Musicians Program for the Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center, as well as perform for judges at New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). Participation is open to all High School Orchestra students as well as pianists and other instrumentalists. A separate Foundation grant has commissioned the writing of a musical selection for Bronxville Band students. The composer will work with the Band students to create an educational, musical, and historical piece for the Bronxville community.