13 - PRAIRIE POST - Friday, March 20, 2009
Hazlet is once again becoming ‘Arts Smart’
BY GAIL JANSEN their 20th anniversary this year, and we wanted to pay a
HAZLET
“
Arts is a big part of this
tribute to them that we will incorporate into our
Operating on a Saskatchewan Arts Board “Arts Smarts”
community. This is a way to blend
production. We’re going to look back at some of their
grant recently awarded for the second year in a row to the
more well-remembered plays and scenes in a multi-media
school in Hazlet, the school, the staff and indeed the
the school community and the presentation that will be sure to spark some good
entire community is getting ready to put on a one-of-a-kind
community as a whole together and
memories in the community.”
show.
As an arts educator, Brooks says the value of arts in a
Cathy Brooks, an Arts Educator for the Chinook School
to ensure that the students’ learning
community and indeed in schools is sometimes
Division, who applied for and was awarded the $6,000
experiences (are) great ones.
overlooked.
grant for the school, says while last year’s award had a
“Arts provide a unique way of learning, and reaches kids
broad focus on the arts in general, this year’s grant will go
— Cathy Brooks,Arts Educator for the
that are otherwise unreachable,” says Brooks.
toward one particular arts focus.
Chinook School Division
” She gives the example of one student who isn’t
“This year with the help of artist and playwright Claire
particularly fond of math.
Middleton, we will be writing and producing an original
invited to take part.
“But he’s brilliant when it comes to things like art and
play based on community members and on the history of
Thus far, says Brooks, the students have decided upon a
set design,” enthuses Brooks. “So he’ll be creating all of
this community,” says Brooks.
“Corner Gas sort of feel” to the project, with a definite
our sets for the play, but to create the vision that he wants
It is a process that has already gotten off to a good start.
bend toward humour.
to create for this play, he’s going to need to use Math. It’s a
“Claire came down on March 13th to begin brain-
“The play will be made up of small incidents and
way of making it all make sense.”
storming with us on ideas and genres we might want to
conversations that take place, and will show how
All 62 of the school’s students as well as the staff and
explore for the play,” says Brooks. “She’ll come down for
something small that happens in a small town can blow up
volunteer members of the community will be involved in
another Friday, on April 3rd, and on April 29th she will
to be something different altogether.”
the Arts Smarts program which will offer all involved
come down for a two-week block to finish up the writing
Featured in their original work will be some local
many facets of the production from which to choose.
process and start rehearsals. In between those visits I will hotspots including Hazlet’s restaurant, gas station and From multi-media, to music, set design and costumes as
be working with the students, teaching some of the school. well as the actual writing and acting of the play, each facet
concepts and skills that Claire is looking to build.” While Brooks had wanted to focus in on one particular offers students an opportunity to build a new set of skills.
The block of time will culminate in the performing of art form with this second grant, it is no coincidence she “Arts is a big part of this community,” says Brooks.
their play during a community-wide evening performance decided to choose playwriting and drama as this year’s “This is a way to blend the school community and the
on May 13th, and a schools-only performance on the focus. community as a whole together and to ensure that the
afternoon of May 14th, to which other schools will be “Our local Sandhills Players are going to be celebrating students’ learning experiences (are) great ones.”
Alta. gov’t holding public ‘dialogue’ about education
ALBERTA education in Alberta over the next two decades. • May 23 — Calgary;
Albertans will have a chance to have their say about
In addition to the 10 “community conversations,” a • May 27 — Medicine Hat;
the future of the education system during public
“conversation kit” will be available in mid-April for
• June 17 — Calgary.
meetings to be held from April to June throughout the
schools, neighbourhoods, businesses, and organizations
To volunteer to participate in a community
province.
to offer their thoughts and insights. Albertans are also
conversation, visit
http://inspiringeducation.alberta.ca
“The Inspiring Education dialogue is about our hopes,
invited to participate in online moderated discussions of
or phone 780-427-7219, (toll free by first dialing 310-
a range of perspectives and ideas on the Inspiring
dreams and aspirations for the children of Alberta, and
0000).
Education website.
the future of our province,” said Alberta Education
Participation in events will be through invitation,
The process will culminate in a two-day provincial
Minister Dave Hancock in a March 11 news release.
conversation, to be held October 18 - 20 in Edmonton.
volunteer signup and random selection from the general
“It will examine how education in Alberta can help
A steering committee, representing a range of
population. Participants will be asked to bring their
tomorrow’s students find their passions and prepare for
perspectives, was appointed by Hancock in November
perspectives, life experiences and thoughts on the
success in the future.”
to help design and lead the process.
future into the dialogue.
Ideas gathered through the public consultations will
Community Conversation Sessions for Southern
The online dialogue and community conversation kits
be used to develop a policy framework which describes Alberta will take place: will be available in mid-April through the project
the overall direction, principles and long-term goals for • May 20 — Lethbridge; website at
http://inspiringeducation.alberta.ca.
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