THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610260231
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 69 lines
Before dozens of well-wishers, Highland-Biltmore Elementary School's staffers and students presented the school's new dance studio Friday, marking another step forward in the school's budding performing-arts program.
Principal Charles H. Bowens III described the occasion as a time to celebrate.
``This is something that can help our students with discipline, self-evaluation, self-esteem and concentration in the classroom,'' Bowens said in an interview.
``There's no question that the arts can be used to motivate children to learn and achieve.''
Others also acknowledged that the performing-arts program, the only one of its kind among district elementary schools, is an idea that needs cash to grow.
``It's good for the students and it can really help unify a school,'' Superintendent Richard D. Trumble said after Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
``But funding is always something we have to look at on a year-to-year basis.''
Carried along by Bowens' enthusiasm for the idea, parents and the school's faculty embraced the program nearly three years ago.
But in early 1995 - months before it was scheduled to kick off in the fall - the program appeared to be doomed.
The School Board had initially said things were too tight to pay for the dance studio, additional staffing and other extras the school sought.
At the end of last school year, however, the administration earmarked nearly $9,000 to convert a former classroom into a dance studio with wall mirrors, practice bars for ballet instruction, and air conditioning.
Most of the studio's finishing touches were recently wrapped up. A hardwood floor has yet to be installed, but it's in the school's plan.
Bowens also said he hoped the school would get extra money next school year to hire four part-time teachers for the program.
The staff, with community support, pushed ahead with the program last school year - despite the bad news from the board.
The staff circulated brochures describing the arts program, which exposes students to visual art, dance, drama and music during a schoolwide enrichment period at the end of each day.
The school combined some funds from its regular budget with PTA money to buy 22 keyboards for its music room, at a cost of more than $6,000.
Two students from the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk agreed to lead dance classes in the cafeteria for second-graders.
Some retired teachers volunteered to help with music lessons.
And although specialized training has been limited, teachers have received a guide with tips on incorporating the arts in traditional lessons to help motivate students, said Cassandra Duke, a Highland-Biltmore reading resource teacher who coordinates the program.
More training is planned, she said.
PTA president Jerry Polito predicted that the program would blossom.
``It's the kind of thing that makes (students) want to keep coming to school,'' he said.
On Friday, students in the school's Dance Troupe performed four routines - from an African dance number to ballet - under the eye of Highland-Biltmore teacher and local choreographer Cynthia Morris.
In blue-and-white school uniforms, dozens of their classmates also lined a hallway, cutting a few steps with the Performing Arts Team, interpreting a song in sign language with the Drama Troupe or performing with the Flag Squad. ILLUSTRATION: MARK MITCHELL
The Virginian-Pilot
Dance instructor and choreographer Cynthia Morris helps student
Antionesha Mettitt adjust her dance costume in the new facility.
KEYWORDS: EDUCATION by CNB