How will we provide arts education within the framework of the district health and safety plan?
We believe that arts are a vital and integral part of a child's education. We know that the Mineola School district's commitment to the well-rounded education of students is special, and is a key component to student success in all areas; artistic, academic, creativity, social/emotional, fine and gross motor skills.
Through the vision of the board, superintendent, and administration we are able to provide our complete offering of arts education, with some modifications to minimize health and safety risks during the covid-19 pandemic. Modifications have been made in order to fully comply with the district plans, and are further reflective of scientific studies and guidance from NYSED, and the professional art and music organizations.
The information below is intended as an overview; teachers and administrators have been working together to iron out the many details of the student experience in music, art, and drama. We will continue to work together and develop our plans in order to maintain health and safety. As always, feel free to reach out to your teacher or to the supervisor of fine and performing arts, Mr. Owens via email or phone: 516-237-2625.
Through the vision of the board, superintendent, and administration we are able to provide our complete offering of arts education, with some modifications to minimize health and safety risks during the covid-19 pandemic. Modifications have been made in order to fully comply with the district plans, and are further reflective of scientific studies and guidance from NYSED, and the professional art and music organizations.
The information below is intended as an overview; teachers and administrators have been working together to iron out the many details of the student experience in music, art, and drama. We will continue to work together and develop our plans in order to maintain health and safety. As always, feel free to reach out to your teacher or to the supervisor of fine and performing arts, Mr. Owens via email or phone: 516-237-2625.
Music Program Modifications
While performance is the most visible piece of music education, it’s important to realize that Performance is only one of the four process standards. Our music teachers infuse each of the standards in their lessons regularly. We are fortunate to be in a district that believes in the importance of a well-rounded education for all students, committed to ensuring that, even through these challenging times, students can have music as a part of their day.
The New York State Guidelines recommend that we ensure a distance of twelve feet in all directions between individuals while participating in activities requiring projecting the voice, or playing a wind instrument. At the various levels of instruction, we are prepared to either provide the appropriate twelve foot spacing or modify our music instruction to include non-aerosol producing activities at six foot spacing.
Primary level (k-2) music:
Students remain in their classroom, and the music teacher pushes in to the room. Since the classrooms are set up for 6 foot distances, students will participate in non-singing activities. There may be instances where spacing allows for the teacher to be singing, or for an individual student to be singing, but again, only if twelve feet in each direction is possible.
Elementary (3-4) music:
Classroom music: Will be the same as primary music listed above. We usually start 3rd graders on recorders, but no recorders will be played in school. Recorders will be distributed to students for at home use.
Performance music:
*We have provided each student with a Smart Music account, that serves as a platform which helps to guide students through at-home practice. Teachers will be using Smart Music as a way to ensure continuity and organization of instrumental music learning regardless of the delivery method (in-person, remote, hybrid). Your child's teacher will be providing all account information.
Middle School (5-6-7) music:
The New York State Guidelines recommend that we ensure a distance of twelve feet in all directions between individuals while participating in activities requiring projecting the voice, or playing a wind instrument. At the various levels of instruction, we are prepared to either provide the appropriate twelve foot spacing or modify our music instruction to include non-aerosol producing activities at six foot spacing.
Primary level (k-2) music:
Students remain in their classroom, and the music teacher pushes in to the room. Since the classrooms are set up for 6 foot distances, students will participate in non-singing activities. There may be instances where spacing allows for the teacher to be singing, or for an individual student to be singing, but again, only if twelve feet in each direction is possible.
Elementary (3-4) music:
Classroom music: Will be the same as primary music listed above. We usually start 3rd graders on recorders, but no recorders will be played in school. Recorders will be distributed to students for at home use.
Performance music:
*We have provided each student with a Smart Music account, that serves as a platform which helps to guide students through at-home practice. Teachers will be using Smart Music as a way to ensure continuity and organization of instrumental music learning regardless of the delivery method (in-person, remote, hybrid). Your child's teacher will be providing all account information.
- Third Grade – We will delay student experimentation/selection on band and orchestra instruments until the health emergency recedes. Instead, we will continue to have small pull-out lessons where students will work on percussion (drum sticks with “silencer” tips). These lessons will be grouped by classroom teacher so that cohorts are not mixed.
- Fourth Grade – We will continue our band and orchestra program with small group pull outs based by classroom teacher and in rooms that can accommodate the space needed for performance based activities.
Middle School (5-6-7) music:
- Middle School ensembles have been divided into smaller class sizes (instead of 2 sections of band/orchestra/chorus in each grade, there are three sections).
- Orchestra: Since orchestra is a non-aerosol producing activity, students will be playing with 6’ distancing and, of course, masks will be worn.
- Band/Chorus: Band and chorus sections that are small enough to fit in their room with 12’ spacing will be playing. Students will be wearing masks when it is not their turn to play or sing. It may be necessary to rotate these ensembles between the large music room and the auditorium in order to have all students able to perform with appropriate spacing. Because of that, students will have some days where they do non-performance music learning activities.
- Due to the hybrid schedule model that the high school has employed, we are anticipating a performance music program very similar to what students are used to. In the case where band and chorus classes have more students than can be accommodated with 12’, teachers will rotate the use of the auditorium and offer non-aerosol producing music learning activities on the days in the smaller spaces.
Art Modifications
Primary/Elementary/Middle Art: (k-8)
Students remain in their classroom, and the music teacher pushes in to the room. Since the classrooms are set up for 6 foot distances, students will be able to maintain those spaces during art education. The district is supporting safe/healthy practices by providing additional supplies for students in order to minimize sharing of art materials. Building principals have shared suggested supply lists that will help your child have a better art experience and ensure that there is no mixing of materials.
High School (9-12): Due to the hybrid schedule model that the high school has employed, we are anticipating an art program very similar to what students are used to.
Students remain in their classroom, and the music teacher pushes in to the room. Since the classrooms are set up for 6 foot distances, students will be able to maintain those spaces during art education. The district is supporting safe/healthy practices by providing additional supplies for students in order to minimize sharing of art materials. Building principals have shared suggested supply lists that will help your child have a better art experience and ensure that there is no mixing of materials.
High School (9-12): Due to the hybrid schedule model that the high school has employed, we are anticipating an art program very similar to what students are used to.