State funds boost local school programs
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The California Department of Education recently announced it will grant $500 million for the enhancement of physical education and visual and performing arts programs in public schools.

The onetime package translates into $83 per student for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12. At least $2,500 must be spent on professional development, equipment and supplies at each school site.

The grants provide resources to implement standardsbased instruction in physical education and arts, said Jack O'Connell, superintendent of California schools.

Core academic courses have taken precedence over the physical and emotional well-being of the children in past years, so the state grants could point to a "renaissance of sorts," said Julie Judd, band teacher at Chaparral Middle School.

The arts and physical education are important for the emotional and cognitive development of all children, she said.

The extra money will help bolster local programs, said Ellen Smith, superintendent for the Moorpark Unified School District.

"We're glad there's more money and that it will go to the arts and PE, but it would have been nice for us to make that call," said trustee David Pollock, a senior director with the California School Boards Association.

Local boards should be able to decide where the money goes, he said, because they know better what local children need than legislators in Sacramento and they need long-term solutions.

"Set high expectations, give us the resources we need and get out of our way," said Pollock.

The arts bolster creativity

Local school officials want to expose every student to all forms of visual and performing arts.

"The arts can unleash creative abilities in all curricular areas. That's the basis of our entrepreneurial economy," Smith said.

Activities in the arts motivate students, said school board member Ron LaGuardia, indicating Moorpark schools already offer a diverse curriculum despite funding shortages.

Local programs are a reflection of the community's values, as evidenced by the considerable number of parents who are active in booster clubs, said LaGuardia.

Through the arts, students learn to be more open and tolerant, said a group of art and music teachers at a recent Moorpark Unified School District board meeting. The arts also promote individuality, bolster selfconfidence and improve overall academic performance, they said.

At the middle school level, the state-provided money should be spent on items that can't be funded by the school district or school boosters clubs, band teacher Judd said. These expenses include large percussion equipment and highticket band instruments.

Middle school music teachers also hope to use some of the money to purchase less expensive instruments for students who come from low-income families, Judd said.

PE enhances social skills

In regard to physical education, LaGuardia said he hopes some of the state grant funds will be used to enhance elementary school programs.

Elementary schools don't have PE teachers. Sometimes parent clubs pay for specialists, but generally the classroom teacher is responsible for the PE unit.

"Moorpark officials aspire to offer a balanced PE program because it leads to life-long fitness and health," said Smith.

When students feel good, they learn better, said Assistant Superintendent Anna Merriman, a former coach and high school principal.

"Kids need to burn up some of their energy, she said.

In addition to fitness skills, physical education classes promote social skills because students must interact and work together during certain exercises, said Deonna Armijo, who's been teaching physical education at Mesa Verde Middle School for eight years.

"If kids are exposed to a wide range of physical activities, they can take the knowledge and use it later in life," said Armijo.

She hopes funds will be used to purchase additional PE equipment to relieve a shortage and allow more children to participate at the same time.