Cultural Arts
Every year the Morris Educational Foundation provides money to each school in the Morris School District to fund cultural arts programs. This year we distributed $22,500 across the district to provide for programs that bring poets, artists, and performers to schools.
In 2010, $4,500 was provided by the MEF to Morristown High School to help fund Challenge Day for the freshmen class. Also, Jeffrey Blum presented his "Success Magic" program; Dan Charnas presented an author assembly on the writing process; Artist Brad Smith conducted an Arts by the People presentation. Funds also supported the screening of the documentary "Race to Nowhere" and helped purchase Design Showcase supplies.
3,000 was provided by the MEF to Frelinghuysen Middle School for the 6th grade social studies classes to study the Civil War through a residency program. Teaching Artist, Margaret Noonan combines poetry, history, performance, music and writing in this on your feet fast paced interactive theatre residency. Students come away with a fuller understanding of the events that lead up to the American Civil War, its toll on society, while becoming stronger public speakers in the process.
$1,000 was provided by the MEF to Lafayette Learning Center to fund "Eyes of the Wild" presentations. Students saw, touched, and learned about wallabies, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and macaws. Students also were treated to a visit from Patty the Clown, who helped dispel many children's fear of clowns.
$2,000 was provided by the MEF to each elementary school.
The Woodland School presented the Beth and Scott Show, which highlighted character education efforts of caring, sharing, and being a friend. A second assembly, Food Play, reinforced good food choices.
Alfred Vail School students participated in The Alley Cats, an interactive and informative show, teaching about the elements of music and performance through one of America's own art forms, Doo-Wop music. Renowned storyteller, Queen Nur, presented a collection of stories, dance, and music in a highly interactive performance.
First graders at Hillcrest School participated in creative writing and expression residency.
Students at Sussex Avenue School participated in a residency program centered around the plays of William Shakespeare. Resident artist, Margaret Noonan, directed the students in performing a scene from a Shakespeare play. The students are not only exposed to the language of classic literature, but to the stage directions as well.
Thomas Jefferson School fourth graders participated in a Community Theater artist residency. A residency artist worked with students to create a play integrating the social studies curriculum, Regions of America.
Alexander Hamilton School third grade students participated in a creative drama residency programs facilitated by a teaching artist. Students created "infomercials" pertaining to their study of New Jersey.
Kindergarten and first grade students at Normandy Park School participated in a folk dancing residency.
