FAME = Fine Arts and Media Enrichment ProgramBy Cindy Thompson

Art is flowing through the halls of Dent Middle School. A classroom of creative writing students are learning about "The Blues" and demonstrating its unique style in their own Blues poems. One of the poems is finally selected and sent to the music class. Music students are ready and waiting to put the soulful words to song. After a melody is recorded, the song is sent to the dance department where students choreograph a Blues production.

The Blues production project is an example of how students are interweaving the arts, communication, and technology through the Fine Arts and Media Enrichment (FAME) program at Dent Middle School.

FAME emphasizes creative thinking in all areas of learning. Classes are offered in musical keyboarding, dance, media technology, computer graphic design, writing, music, media literacy, magazine production, art design and other related subjects.

"The students are enjoying the high-interest, hands-on nature of these classes," explained Brigitte Donlon, curriculum facilitator at Dent. She also pointed out that the self expression and self confidence gained in FAME classes carry over into the academic classrooms.

"All students attend regular academic classes, then they have two elective blocks where they attend their FAME classes," she said.

Sixth graders start out on a nine-week rotation, exploring many areas of FAME, Donlon explained. Seventh and eighth graders take two FAME classes during the school day. At the end of the school year, students choose a major FAME area to specialize in for the next two years.

By the time FAME students leave the eighth grade, they will be prepared to audition for the Palmetto Center for the Arts program or apply for the Convergence Media program, both located at Richland Northeast High School.

The FAME program aims to help students:

+ develop deductive reasoning skills, critical thinking skills, and spatial reasoning skills;

+ excel in academics as well as the arts;

+ creatively solve problems in all academic areas;

+ develop talents that improve self-esteem;

+ improve cognitive development;

+and appreciate the arts through meaningful participation in a variety of creative projects and events.

In 2005, the US Department of Education awarded Richland School District Two a 5.4 million dollar grant to establish four new magnet programs designed to "improve performance through arts, communication, and technology" (ImPACT). Funds from the grant were presented to Condor Elementary, Forest Lake Elementary, Dent Middle School, and Richland Northeast High School.

"Dent Middle School is the only middle school in Richland School District Two with an arts and media program such as this one," Donlon said.

"There are approximately 750 students in the seventh and eighth grade that participate in FAME," she said. "FAME provides these students with active learning, individualized instruction, and an appreciation for the arts. In turn, this provides intrinsic motivation needed to be successful in all academic areas."

"The FAME teachers are by far the most talented individuals that I have ever worked with," Donlon said. "Their enthusiasm, expertise, and love of their craft have been passed on to the students and teachers at Dent Middle School. They are energized knowing that the arts are a priority at our school."

Donlon added that parent involvement has noticeably increased since FAME's inception at the school. "Parents are thoroughly impressed with the FAME program and especially the expertise of our teachers. They express how wonderful this program is for their child and how much they wish they had a program like this when they went to school."

Dent Middle School is preparing for a long list of upcoming events which will showcase creative talents cultivated by the FAME program.

The Columbia Museum of Art's Mozart Art Festival will display Dent Middle School students' artwork through February 12. The Richland District Two Art Show at the Columbia Place Mall will take place in March. FAME theatre students will perform in the play Just like US April 21 in the Richland School District Two Auditorium. FAME dance students will star in Akim and the Seven Jealous Girls ballet on April 21 in the District Two Auditorium. There will be a spring band and chorus concert on April 27 in the Dent Middle School gymnasium. Creative writing night will take place April 27 in their media center, and the Lady Diamond Dance Team will perform at the Sparkleberry Fair on April 29.

For more information about Dent Middle School and the FAME program, call (803) 699-2750 or visit www.richland2.org/dm. Dent Middle School is located at 6950 N. Trenholm Rd. in Columbia.