BERKELEY ARTS MAGNET AT WHITTIER SCHOOL
1645 MILVIA STREET * 644-6225 * LORNA SKANTZE-NEILL, PRINCIPAL

Did you ever consider "singing the blues " as a way of teaching history? That's what teacher David Freedman does with his second graders, tracing the evolution of the music and the people who made it from its roots in the deep South, to every part of the United States. Listening to the music and reading biographies of its geniuses, the children note how the country simplicity gives way to a new complexity and increased tempo as it becomes urbanized. But there is much more to the lesson. "They learn about patterns," explains Freedman, "patterns that are key to language and reading skills. First, they read and listen. Then they write their own blues." Topics range from the whimsical to the mundane (Crazy Pet and Being Bored Blues), and also explore areas of deeper emotional concern (Friends Forever and I Remember My Grandpa Blues). "This project gives the children a perfect outlet for what's happening emotionally," Freedman says. And, as most projects at Arts Magnet, it ends with a performance -- in this case the creation of a genuine blues club, complete with young bluesmen and women singing their creations backed up by a band of adult volunteers.

Welcome to Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier School, a California Distinguished School in 1989 and again in 1993. On those occasions the school was recognized for its success in integrating the visual and performing arts into the academic domain, a success that shines in each aspect of its rich curriculum. "Here we treat the arts as seriously as reading, writing, science and mathematics," says Principal Lorna Skantze-Neill. "We require the same level of discipline in the arts as we do in the academic areas."

Pivotal to the school's curriculum are the four part-time instructional specialists who teach choral music, percussion, dance and visual arts throughout the school. In the lower grades the children are exposed to all four disciplines on a weekly basis. In the upper grades children elect one area in which to concentrate, and spend an hour each afternoon studying their chosen form. During "Artist Time," you would find children performing west African dance with Betty Ladzepko, the Percussion Band playing the rhythms of Brazil led by Al Guzman, Lichi Fuentes conducting the chorus in music from around the world, or students working in the visual arts with Lucy Ames. The pieces that the students connect to with passion will become their repertoire, for presentations at various community venues. "Performing outside gives students a sense of what it means to be a professional artist," explains fourth-grade teacher Lisa Benavidez. "Performing gives them pride in their accomplishments." Young artists in all four disciplines take their work into the community, displaying at local galleries and participating in musical events throughout the city, and beyond.

Strong community support makes a strong school, and that Arts Magnet has. Parents lend a hand in field trips, fundraising, logo design, and school-wide events. Neighbors and area merchants also show their support for the school, from helping to fill the penny jar during the annual Penny Drive, to volunteering, to keeping an eye out for the children's safety. "Our children are surrounded by caring grown-ups," says Principal Skantze-Neil. "As a school we have a strong sense of belonging in this community."

A brand-new building. Discovered to be seismically unsound, the previous Whittier School was closed in March 1990 for repair and retrofitting. After five years in portables, the school community moved into its beautifully remodeled building in September of 1995. In addition to sparkle and safety, the newly designed building features a skylit studio equipped with drying racks and portfolio storage, as well as a kiln area. For the performing arts there is a fully equipped stage, and for the visual artists, bulletin boards outside of every room. Truly a feast for young artistic eyes, hands, voices and minds!

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