Mayor Bowser and DCPS announced today that it will continue the Fillmore Arts Center in school year 2017-2018 to provide arts and music education to elementary schools that do not have space for schoolbased arts and music programming, including Stoddert Elementary.
“Over the past month, we heard about the importance of Fillmore from students, parents and community members that care deeply about equitable access to arts education. After hearing the community’s feedback, we have created a plan for ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality arts education. I thank Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh for their relentless advocacy on behalf of supporters of the Fillmore Arts Program. DCPS looks forward to working with all school communities in the coming months to finalize details for next school year,” said Mayor Bowser.
The following is a text of a letter to parents from DCPS…
November 29, 2016
Dear DCPS Families,
DC Public Schools (DCPS) is committed to providing comprehensive instruction to engage all learners equitably, including high-quality arts and music programs for every student at every school. As part of our arts and music programming, the Fillmore Arts Center received supplemental funding in School Year 2016-2017 to provide instruction for students attending Hyde-Addison, Marie Reed, Key, Ross, and Stoddert Elementary Schools.
This Fall, my team and I met with the local school advisory teams from these participating schools to gather feedback on how DCPS can continue to deliver arts and music education in an equitable manner. Based on these conversations, Mayor Bowser and DCPS will continue Fillmore Arts Center in School Year 2017-2018 to provide arts and music education to elementary schools that do not have space for school- based arts and music programming.
Changes to the Fillmore Arts Center programming, beginning in School Year 2017-2018, include:
- Marie Reed Elementary School and Hyde-Addison Elementary School will transition to on-site arts instruction, joining 59 elementary schools that provide thriving in-house arts and music programming. Both schools will receive support to create strong arts and music programs, including teacher, curriculum, partnership, and supply support.
- Stoddert Elementary School, Key Elementary School, and Ross Elementary School will continue to receive arts and music programming through the Fillmore Arts Center.
- All elementary schools will have access to the Fillmore Arts Center via workshops and partnering with visiting artists.
In the coming months, my staff and I will work with the school leadership teams at Hyde-Addison, Marie Reed, Key, Ross, and Stoddert Elementary Schools to further develop thoughtful arts and music programming – either school-based or through Fillmore – that meets the needs of their students and their community.
Thank you to the families and staff that participated in the discussions this Fall regarding the Fillmore Arts Center. I believe that the outlined plan for School Year 2017-2018 effectively utilizes space and resources to ensure all students receive high-quality arts and music instruction.
Sincerely,
Brian Pick
Chief of Teaching and Learning
Click here to download a PDF copy of the letter or read it on the mayor’s website.