Arts integration and steam
The STEAM Team is igniting the creative spark in students through weekly hands-on and engaging activities that teach the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. From building robots to designing structures, inspiring students to explore their potential in real-world application
Arts integration and STEAM for Active Learning
Implemented district-wide Arts Integration and STEAM initiatives TK-12 as a means to create equity and inclusion when "learning is doing" and students are engaged with content, ultimately improving student engagement and desired learning outcomes.
kennedy center
Technology and Arts Integration Specialist Angela Russo and Echo Valley Assistant Principal Jacob Gile attended The Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education Conference.
“The team connected with Educational Arts Leaders and practitioners across the country, compare Arts Integration strategies and strengthen our District’s & Kennedy Center Partnership. It was encouraging to see that Echo Valley Elementary is also implementing some of the same strategies (Acting Right, Creative Movement) as a model Arts magnet school. The opportunity to attend the conference brought clarity, inspiration, and motivation for Echo Valley’s continued journey toward becoming a leader in Arts Integration.”
In partnership with Focus 5 and our local Sunset Cultural Center, and under The Kennedy Center Arts in Education programs since 2018. Also fully implemented in each elementary and middle school the Youth Cinema Project program for academic success.
North Monterey County Youth Cinema Project Students Take Over The Red Carpets
NMCUD’s Youth Cinema Project, championed by Edward James Olmos, serves students ranging from 4th to 8th grade with a capstone project and field trip to the renowned Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), where our students attend the annual showcase of their own short films and engage in a range of special events and workshops led by industry professionals. In addition, their families are invited to the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood to attend red carpet screenings of selected student films and witness the magic of their own creations on the big screen. A select group of students were also invited to participate in panel discussions and Q&A sessions where they shared their insights and experiences in the world of film. These exceptional students were also recognized and honored for their remarkable achievements in the field of cinema.
Allowing Art To Take Over Our Walls
Students at each NMCUSD elementary school collaborated in the design and painting of art murals with a professional artist all four school wide project as a community building activity. Through this experience they were able to work as a team to create a lasting impact on school climate and culture. Echo Valley’s Mural is focused on imagination in education. This is seen through the image of our wonderful dolphin swimming among vibrant colors on the right side of the mural. On the left side, you can see a painting of one of our very own Echo Valley students reading a book and releasing images of excitement and wonder.
Elkhorn Elementary kicked off our Arts Integration professional development series that will take place across all elementary sites with Acting Right. Teachers observed and collaborated with Teaching Artist, Sam Tidwell, learning how to implement Acting Right, an arts integration strategy that teaches students the foundational skills of self management through the drama art form, tableau. He worked with all grade levels providing demonstration lessons and led after-school professional development with all teachers
TEACHER TRAINING & COACHING
STEAM in Elementary SchoolS
At Elkhorn Elementary School, we were visited by the Monterey County Pops' Wind and Percussion Group, who delighted students from TK to 6th grade with two performances. The group played "Peter and the Wolf," showcasing the various instruments that make up an orchestra. As many 5th and 6th graders are learning these instruments in Mr. Cohen's band classes, they felt a special connection to the performance. The show was a success, and we eagerly anticipate their return next year.
At Castroville Elementary School, students showed off their creativity and STEAM skills by participating in the annual Leprechaun Trap Contest. This fun, yearly event, is organized by the Student Council. All classes had the opportunity to visit the temporary gallery and view the entries. Winners were selected by the Student Council.
Elementary School Concerts & Carols
Elkhorn School winter concert where our 5th and 6th grade band students performed many fun songs and showed off their talent for their families and friends. The 5th and 6th grade choir had their first performance led by Mr. Mobilio. The students sang a couple of challenging songs, but showed their talent and how much they could learn in just a few short hours. The 2nd grade Elkhorn students caroled around the school and entertained other students and staff throughout the campus with fun holiday carols. One of the4th grade classrooms recited “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and demonstrated their public speaking skills in front of peers and families. The 6th grade classrooms wrote a script for a courtroom proceeding for “The Big Bad Wolf” brought forth by the 3 little pigs who were suing for damages to their homes. The play was written, directed, and acted out by the students themselves. They invited multiple classrooms from across campus to see their work.
ELEMENTARY Enchanting Dance Performance
Victor Lucero from Cypher Dance came to Elkhorn School and provided dance and character education to our Pre-K through 6th Grade. He provided dance lessons and a thrilling performance for the students and staff. This was a unique opportunity for students to learn from a professional dancer and gain exposure to various dance styles. The lessons were interactive and provided students with a chance to learn new moves and showcase their dancing skills.
Dancing Through Summer
Over the summer, students in our district were provided with an exceptional opportunity to engage in a week-long workshop focused on Mexican folkloric dancing. This workshop was organized by the students and teachers of Raíces Baile Folklórico, a club at NMCHS. Each morning, high school students gathered with their instructors to learn new choreography and prepare for the dance lessons they would later deliver to elementary students. Following lunch, the high school students journeyed to Elkhorn Elementary School, forming small groups and imparting their knowledge of the "Jarabe Tapatío" dance to younger generations. The culmination of this enjoyable collaboration featured thrilling performances by both the high school and elementary students.
Student spotlight
Haylie Rivers, a talented sophomore flute player from North Monterey County High School's band, took the stage at Cabrillo College. Haylie auditioned for the Honor Band in November and was successfully selected to be a part of the Central Coast Section Honor Band Tri-County Area. With her outstanding skills, she secured the 7th place among the top 14 flute students in the band. This is a promising indication of the growth and success of our music program. In addition to Haylie's achievements, we also had three middle school students participate in the CCS Middle School Honor Band and four students selected for the Monterey Jazz Festival Honor Jazz Band.
Adilene Vasquez Alvarez, North Monterey County High School student participated in the For The Love of Art, her submission, “Vencer El Sol” (Defeating the Sun) and was highlighted in the Monterey County Now Newsletter. In her piece, workers are picking strawberries at the foothills of the mountains, but then there is a door in the middle of the field, behind which a young girl with a backpack is walking into her bright future. Much closer, in the foreground, we can see hands offering strawberries in a celebratory gesture. “There is no correct way to do art,” says Vasquez Alvarez, whose parents moved to the U.S. from Mexico when they were teenagers. The landscape for “Vencer El Sol” was taken from her own summer experience of picking strawberries in Watsonville. It tells the story of “overcoming obstacles to follow my dream of battling a scorching sun that lies over my parents every day.”
