Art More than Painting and Drawing at MCS

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Students in Middleburgh Central School art classes learn much more than how to paint and draw, school board members were told at their February board meeting.

Elementary school art teacher Kim Audino, the department coordinator for pre-k-12th grade, music, art, foreign language, guidance counselors. outlined the art, music, and other classes during her annual report at the February 12 board meeting.

"Every child is an artist," is the motto of all art classes, she told school board members. In addition to the usual painting and drawing in classes, there are art projects, "reflection" painting, a color wheel for the kindergartners, making Japanese Kimonos, making "critters," reading about different cultures, an "artist of the month," and "student in the spotlight. In addition, students make "keepsake memories" art pieces for parents several times during the school year, Ms. Audino said.

The art clubs have become very popular, she noted.

There are 58 members of the art club made up of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, she aid. The book club also has b38 members ad in March there will be a story teller visiting for day and night programs. The members are currently working on an "Animals of the World" book. There is also an end-of-the-year celebration with parents.

In the middle school/high school art classes, students learn about art history and artists. A trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May.

Ms. Audino also detailed the work in the music programs.

There are different bands for the students in both school to join and perform in. The groups play for veterans, holiday concerts, spring concerts, the fall parade, and a marching band.

The goal, she said, i to foster a life-long love and appreciation of music.

She noted that there are 75 students in the elementary choir.

Both the art and music departments host a "Festival of the Arts" in May.

The Spanish classes, Ms. Audino, emphasize language in "real-world application."