Each day, students at Conder Elementary in Richland District 2 dance, sing, play instruments, and create works of art. Creative juices flow and help students learn traditional subjects in a whole new way through the arts infused program facilitated by the district’s imPACT grant.

Conder’s program was patterned after the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, a nationally recognized school in Charlotte, NC. The school enjoys a strong partnership with Blumenthal and hopes to experience similar results.

Conder offers programs staffed by certified personnel in visual arts, dance, music, and drama. Students have unprecedented opportunities to explore, create, and learn. Visual arts offerings include puppetry, pottery, weaving and basketry, computer art and graphic design, and drawing and painting.

Dance programs include ballet, jazz, step, and creative movement. Musically inclined students can participate in strings, learn piano in the Yamaha Keyboard lab, or incorporate rhythm and culture by taking a class in West African or Steel Drums. Each student is exposed to all areas of the arts and is given the opportunity to pursue their special arts area of interest two days a week.

Conder’s mission is to “maximize quality learning for each child through the integration of the arts into a strong academic program to empower every student with a solid foundation for life–long success in a global community.”

Administrators and teachers say they already see in a very tangible way the benefits of the arts infused curriculum. Students are stimulated and enjoying school, and as Assistant Principal Chris Reliford said, “All stakeholders, parents, students, and teachers have been very positive about the program.”

This year, fifth graders have used song lyrics to learn about ecosystems. Second graders have learned the skeletal system through dance. Third graders have delved into geography building topographic models of SC. Fourth graders have explored mathematical patterns on drums, and first graders have worked on reading comprehension by acting out stories and fables they have read.

The school celebrated its inaugural year of arts infusion with a Gala Thursday, November 10. The celebration included grade level performances, teacher development opportunities with staff from Blumenthal, and special guest speaker Scott Blanks, who is professor of theater at Benedict College and an accomplished actor, singer and dancer.

For more information about Conder’s arts integrated programs or imPACT, contact the school at 736-8720, the district office at 787-1910, or log on to www.richland2.org.