Should My Child Be Taking Classes During Covid-19

  Many studios and gyms across our nation have been working hard at developing new systems of class delivery and health protocols during this time of COVID-19. Some have been forced to be "locked down", and others have been working with area health officials, their insurance provider and their faculty and staff to continue to deliver their services to their area families. It has been a time of high stress, uncertainty and fear.

  But through it all, this is what we know. Children are not made to be locked down, They are a creature of constant movement, giggles and fun. Movement is their release for stress. Movement helps them to think and even work better in school. The one thing that should not be taken away, for any reason, is movement classes. Especially movement classes that actually teaches self confidence and resilience. Stopping these type of classes is like asking the person to stop breathing.

It is very important to a child to be in their movement classes right now. It is where they make and maintain friends that have a similar interest in having fun. It is where the music brings a playful mood or feeling. It is where the real world dissolves and the magical world, that all children want and need as a mental escape, appears. 

Movement classes offer so much for a child's growth and self esteem, that many movement instructors believe that it is vital to to all children's mental, physical and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic. And we believe that fully as well here at Academy of Fine Arts. It is why we are still offering classes and lessons, either virtually or in person.

Movement classes, music lessons and art classes have all been found to be beneficial to our well being as humans. It is why a brisk walk can lift your spirits and help with stress. It is why when you listen to calming music, you no longer are anxious. It is while painting a landscape , you may find yourself smiling. 

Instead of classes and lessons being thought of as an extra expense during a frightening pandemic, these may actually be the just right prescription to a healthier immune system. Classes and lessons can also be a happy distraction from every frightening moment due to COVID-19 and such great chaos and unrest in the world. 

There are many options for classes and lessons right now, from a free class on Facebook, to Zoom classrooms, in person small group classes and even private lessons. After 12 months of fear and uncertainty, it just may be the right time to research for a location that has 

1) health protocols in place, 

2)options for virtual or in person,

 3) private or small group classes, or 

4) an occasional free virtual class in your area.

Mary Myers is the Owner/Director of Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward OK

 

                                                 Confidence Building

Recently,  AMightyGirl.com website published an article about young girls losing their confidence level by 30% starting at age eight years through fourteen years. The article, which we encourage you to read in full, mentions that before age eight, a girls confidence level compared to boys of the same age group, is about the same. The authors of  The Confidence Code for Girls.  Katty Kay and Claire Shipman  go on to explain that "as girls approach adolescence, that openness to risk and failure becomes buried under an avalanche of biological and cultural signals telling them to be careful, value perfection, avoid risk at all possible costs. Parents and society reinforce a lot of these messages and behaviors at the same time that girls' brains are being flooded with estrogen, which heightens emotional intelligence and curbs risk. Not because we are bad, but because there is such a premium on "doing well", especially today". Hence, their Confidence Code for Girls and The Confidence Code Journal. We have not read this book as of this writing, but it has been placed at the top of our reading list. We are adding a link to the AMightyGirl.com article at the bottom of this blog article.

         This article was very timely, since I was recently in conversation with a parent that was inquiring           about the value of classes and lesson. Here is what I know from over all the years of instructing.            Students that started as toddlers or early elementary, and stayed in weekly lessons through their               senior year of high school, only seemed to become more confident and out going. A family                    encouraging their child to continue lessons (and some whose parents never gave an option to drop          class or lessons) only grew into strong minded, self directed, highly intelligent young adults.                  Everyone of our students that were  young when starting and stayed in classes through high school          graduation, went on to college and graduated with degrees. 

         These young adults are all successful in their careers. Many with multiple degrees and                             doctorates.  Some are business owners, others work in healthcare, school teachers, One even                   works in  the administration office of a  professional Ballet Company and another is a director                 for  a community based  activity center, directing "non sports activities", which includes dance. 

         When these students started classes and lessons with us, they had no expectations of what they               would be as an adult. They were there for fun, and we delivered it to them. Their parents had                   them in class to have fun, learn a few dances, be in a recital and get some exercise. 

         Class benefits are many and we will not go over each one at this time.. But one benefit is very                 important during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is the mental health benefit.                   According to an Oxford University study  July 8,2019 "Dance improves mood and can reduce                symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dancing, or moving to music with others, encourages and               increases social bonding with strangers." Joining in class with others is enjoyable and allows a              child to grow socially. Since dance classes are based on age and levels, it allows a child to explore          and learn on an equal ground with others. This means everyone is trying something new, and there          is a more equal chance of everyone experiencing  a  success, failure and success again pattern.

       Unlike sports that are limited to a small  number of members on a team, with many                                 sitting on the bench while only a few actually play, dance classes and groups are limited in size               so that  ALL attendees get to participate fully and benefit. This makes dance feel safer when                   trying movements, without so much fear because the majority of the class is all on the same level            of  learning there is support from others in the class and less fear of being mocked for failing.                This is especially true in studio settings that have a mission statement that is openly shared on a              daily basis through words and actions. 

       Students over the many years that have came through our doors at Academy of Fine Arts of                    Woodward, knowing that if a mistake is made, it is an opportunity to grow and not cave in. With           each new "try", they become stronger and more resilient. With each new skill learned, they become       more confident and giving towards others. I am happy that I have had this lifetime of                               opportunities to experience this with so many young people.  

      Has every student that has came through our doors been like those I just mentioned? Unfortunately        no. There are more that have not been as successful as those that have. What is the difference? I              believe it is family dynamics. Some families are just "trying out" an activity for their child. Others          have looked for something that  their child could grow with and lead to opportunities. These                    parents usually put the "if we start, you have to stay in  for the duration" up front and expect their          child to follow through. ( I actually did this with my children about joining band. Being a former           high school band member, I knew you cannot get the full benefit of band, without seeing it all the           way through your senior year. This even included school athletics and there was never an option to         give up dance and gymnastics either. It was tough, but they learned to manage their time and all did       very well in college,) 

     So sometimes sticking out the duration of dance or any other activity is a family affair. But doing so       it has its reward in learning to work together and to manage time. Sticking out dance through the            12th grade year has major benefits also in confidence building, body image and  learning to follow         through until the end of any project. Future employers love those skills!

     I do intend to purchase and read the book mentioned at the beginning. I think every parent should.        But not because you want your child to have more confidence. The book may just really open doors        for parents more so than their daughter. It just may, and I say may because I have not read it yet, help      parents to help their child to plan for long term benefits of activities by developing a plan from the          beginning for success. The link I promised is below. Read the book and then tell me what you think. 

https://www.amightygirl.com/the-confidence-code-for-girls

        Mary Myers is the Director/Owner of Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward, OK

   

            

    

   

         

 

 

          

         

 

Health Protocols??

 

We just finished up with the last of the piano students today, and while cleaning the surface area with our trusty Chlorox Wipes, I reminded myself that our cleaning and sanitizing protocols is no different than flu season. It just so happens that this "flu season" so far has lasted almost ten months! The only thing different from any flu season from any other year is that teachers and staff are required to wear a mask when working with our students. 

We do recommend that students wear masks as well, at this time, but it is up to their parents if they wear then during instruction time. This is fine for now while the numbers in our community are low. But if they rise to an alarming level, students will be required to wear a mask during instruction.

Of course we do have other protocols as well, to continue this COVID-19 journey. Keeping our students safe and the studio open is a priority after all. We understand that our studio is a place of release and laughter for many of our students. And music and movement can help release their stress and maintain a healthy mental state.

Stay well every one. Take care of your love ones. 

School Option For A New Age

Five years ago, we opened our ASPIRE Integrated School Option program. It's a public virtual school blended with our performing and fine arts programs for K-12. The idea and dream was that it allowed children to spend their day in a facility filled with huge opportunities in dance, music, art, performance gymnastics and acrobatics, while completing their school studies. 

We knew five years ago that this model of school was no different than children in elite gymnastics gyms, Broadway theaters or Hollywood having tutors on site while they worked out or worked on their theater craft.  We saw it as a way that students could have more time for performing and fine arts. Or being a part of a competitive dance or gymnastic team.

Today, ASPIRE Integrated School Option is in the forefront as a school choice for area children, due to the  COVID-19 pandemic. It is sad that the pandemic has so many families concerned about their child's education and safety. But the virtual teachers with the Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools we use are well trained in virtual education on a daily basis, so their is no concerns, stresses or anxiety about delivering a great school experience. They have been doing this for years now! And so have we. 

We are BACK! I'm going to get a little personal for a moment.

No, we did not go anywhere. It has just been many months since posting anything to our BLOG. So long, we did not even realize that Blogger has updated their look and style a bit! 

Why such a long time between posts? Family. Sometimes you just have to take a break and take care of family. And that is exactly what we did. Specifically, the absence was due to me needing to help take care of my parents needs, mostly my dad. Dad passed in May and I am beginning to catch my breath.....at least I think I am. Daddy had dementia for almost 30 years. 

I bring up my Dad because he was the beginning of what I now do. Daddy was a musician. Actually a very good musician. But he never had a lesson in his life. He played multiple instruments, guitar, western steel guitar, mandolin, piano, a little bit of banjo. And he played them all by ear.

Daddy would sit next to me at the piano and watch me practice. He would look at the music books I had in front of me and would say, "Looks like chicken scratches to me."  Then he would play the piano with me. Me playing from my books and Daddy adding chords. He is the one that taught me chords before I was even ready to learn them from Mrs. Evans, my first piano teacher.

Music was always in our house. From my uncles, aunts and cousins gathering at our house on the weekend to join in  the playing of music, to Daddy listening to his Gospel records on Sunday mornings. Music was a big part of our world, an important part of our world.......we just did not realize it at the time.

When Daddy started having to walk with a walker and was slowing down some, I got the idea to build him a Pandora account with all of his old country musicians he loved so much. I would turn it on when we would walk in the house. He and I would circle around from the living room to the dining room, then the kitchen and hallway that lead back to the living room. Some days, he would only walk four or five times around. Other days, he would walk as much as thirteen to twenty two times around ( I would write down each day how many times so it could be given to his physical therapist that visited him at home.). 

Daddy actually started getting stronger in his legs and would walk in tempo to the music, which made us laugh. When a quick two step would come on, I actually had a hard time holding onto his safety belt due to him walking to the tempo! Daddy really loved music. And I really love music, but I loved my Daddy more.

At his funeral, during the COVID-19 pandemic with so many regulations concerning safety at funerals, they played recorded music of Johnny Cash singing Amazing Grace and Alan Jackson singing I'll Fly Away. The morning of the day that Dad passed, he was in his wheel chair listening to music and I'll Fly Away came on. Daddy started nodding his head and tapping the beat with his fingers. When the song finished, he looked at me and smiled a crooked little smile. I said to him, "You really like that song." He responded with "Yeah". 

Early that evening, while setting in his recliner, my Daddy was sleeping and he took his last breath. No lengthy hospital stays or nursing home. He stayed home with mom, my husband and I,.............and his music. Music was his special drug that made everything bearable. It helped when he was in pain or could not sleep. It expressed when he was sad or happy. For many months it was the only way he could walk any distance.

Music has always been a part of my life in my home growing up, at school in the Junior and Senior High Schools, and in  my studio. I listen to music more than I even watch TV. Now music has even a more special part in my life. It holds the memories of my Daddy.

Mary Myers is the Owner and Director of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward , Oklahoma.

Why ASPIRE Integrated School Option Makes Sense

UPDATED:
ASPIRE Integrated School Option is a K12 education program at Academy of Fine Arts that allows students to attend Oklahoma Virtual Public School in a private setting.  For five years we closely watched Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools, talked to teachers that teach in the virtual setting, talked to administrators of Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools and visited with parents of students that chose the Oklahoma Virtual Public School option instead of a more traditional setting.

Five years ago, we officially opened the ASPIRE Integrated School Option at Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward.. Although small in attendance so far, the arts based setting has proven to be a success for those students and families that have joined us on this adventure. ASPIRE blends progressive Oklahoma Virtual Public School with the arts based classes such as dance, acrobatic dance, gymnastics, music lessons and art. Other classes to enhance the arts learning includes music theory, dance history, anatomy and technique.

ASPIRE Integrated School Option for K-12 is a great transition from our arts based preschool and private pre-k,  Move-N-Learn Academy, which began in 1986. Move-N-Learn Academy has prepared hundreds of students for Kindergarten, and now they have the opportunity to stay in the location where they started their journey of learning.

ASPIRE students also receive perks such as membership in Lead to Succeed, a leadership training  group for ages 7 - 18 yrs, and free evening classes at Academy of Fine Arts. They also receive instruction from some of the top dance teachers and choreographers in the US through a partnership with CLI Studios in Hollywood CA, and the opportunity to attend music festivals and competitions, dance workshops and conventions, master classes presented in their art by master teachers and more.


What is Oklahoma Virtual Public School?

First of all, Let's share a bit more information about Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools in general. Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools are accredited charter schools in Oklahoma under the guidance of the State Virtual School Board. Each virtual charter school has their own school board as well as administrators.

They have state certified teachers to instruct and teach the students. Through the use of the internet, they present lessons, show examples, converse live with students and the class, while the students can ask questions or comment by virtually hold up their hand during a live lesson. The students can also use the chat pod to give clarification to other students that are stating they do not understand something. Teachers also are required to be in contact with the students by phone and available at field trips and school events.

The administrators we have met, were once  teachers in Oklahoma's brick and mortar schools. Some serving in a public teaching position for as much as 20 years. When we asked Tammy Shepherd, Principal of Oklahoma Connections Academy, why she changed to a virtual school setting, the answer we got was "I believe it is the school of the future." And we believe that to be so too.

Second, these Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools may just be a better setting for some students. The courses are challenging and progressive. Depending on the grade level, students can have four to eight lessons a day plus one to four live lessons with teachers weekly or even daily. The pace is brisk and the day is filled with energy and  school work. No time for boredom for sure. But for the right student, it can mean being finished with school for the day by 1:00 pm or working ahead a day or two.

Completing lessons early or being ahead of schedule can mean that that student now has time to participate in enhancements to the lessons, or following a favorite passion such as dance, music or sports. It also means the possibility of more time for family or just play and being a kid.


Why do we believe that Oklahoma Virtual Public School could be a consideration for your child? Why should you inquire about it?

Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools appear to be training students more for the future. Classes such as Educational Technology is teaching skills in using technology that is above the level of the typical computer classes and software classes I personally have attended at Vo-Tech classes and conferences. They are teaching the skills in a fun way that allows kids to learn and relates to their world. Not by computer games, but by class work. Work that relates to their other classes and trains them to use the full capability of computers. More so than the average adult knows and uses now.

They also are training students through health and fitness courses that teaches the necessity of living an active life and that life is not playing on a computer or iPad. Health and fitness courses that mandates tracking of their daily, weekly and monthly physical activity helps with checks and balances of what a healthy physical life is about. Just because it is a virtual school, it does not mean hours and hours of setting, if managed the way it is managed at ASPIRE Integrated School Option. It does mean learning to be accountable for your health and fitness level, or lack of.

The students of the Information Age are also learning about different resources throughout the internet in locating the most current information, whether is is surfing through logs on the NASA site for current information about planets or other sites and updated PDF's. Information is more current online than in most text books (although virtual students do use textbooks to reference from time to time as well).  And information can be updated quickly online for the most current facts and details.

When the teachers call, they ask the student "How are you doing today?" "Do you need any help from me today?", "Can you tell me about your day?". "What would you like to talk about?" . But better yet, if the student does need to talk to them, even on an unscheduled day, their phone number is available to the student and their families for assistance and support. If the student or parent needs a face to face meeting on a lesson,  they go into the teachers Live Lesson room. Always happy to help.

Families can use Oklahoma Virtual Public School at home. It is free to any school age child residing in the boundaries of the state of Oklahoma. A parent must be able to commit to 4 - 6 hours a day of being with the child to assist them on their school journey. But if this cannot happen, this is where ASPIRE Integrated School Option can fill the gap with Learning Coaches.There is a fee for the Learning Coach and the student coming to Academy of Fine Arts for their school day.

So many times, families are forced to have their children give up activities, the arts an sports, in favor of the student being able to keep up with homework. Many young, gifted people leave classes, lessons and sports because they cannot g keep up with the huge amount of homework when attend school in other settings. "School comes first", says the parent. But at ASPIRE Integrated School Option, arts classes, fitness/sports training and participating in sports is easier, because when they complete their lessons under the guidance of a Learning Coach (who can only have up to five students), there is NO HOMEWORK. So kids get to stay in classes or training's where their passion lies.

Many families state that they had to call off a family outing on the weekend because their child had to work all weekend on their homework. Family time is scarce and almost totally forgotten. But when a student has their own personal Learning Coach that is keeping them on task daily Monday Through Friday, lessons are completed on time and the weekend is given back to the family to spend time together.Time to get to know each other again and have fun.


So why do we believe that ASPIRE Integrated School Option makes sense?

When you combine Oklahoma Virtual Public School and the learning coach services of the ASPIRE Integrated School Option at Academy of Fine Arts, a whole new world opens up for your child and family. They no longer hate or fear school, but love to come to learn.

ASPIRE is a great setting for students and families that prefer a progressive curriculum and setting. One that fits their needs for more brain breaks using physical activity such as sports training, dance, yoga, gymnastics, acrobatics, art and fitness. Besides having a scheduled day, when a student needs a break, their learning coach has the ability to allow them a break. They can use this break to read for enjoyment, free play (younger students), play music, compose music, stretch their bodies and more. ASPIRE is an environment that allows for movement and you will never hear "please sit still".

A lot of articles have been written about the value of the arts being a major part of a child's education. Many life and executive skills can be learned through the study of the arts no matter what their course of study in college takes them. Critical thinking skills, personal management, organizational skills, are just a very few. The arts also helps to build self esteem, allows for creative thought and action, the ability to cooperate and work with others and many more. Being in a setting that encourages the participation in the arts is setting your child on the pathway to personal success.

The arts is also a setting that allows for mistakes and the time to learn from mistakes. It the arts, students learn that a mistake is a sign that you are still learning and that you just keep trying until is is mastered. This is a skill most employers would love to see in employees, instead of the giving up or passing the project on to "someone else smarter". In the right arts based setting, your child will learn to grow as a person as well as a student.

As stated earlier, the Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools are training and educating students for the future. After all, it takes many years to publish new text books. There has to be a first draft, editing, second draft, more editing and possibly a third draft before it is ever ready for publication. After publication, the books then sit in a warehouse waiting to be purchased by a school district. More waiting. But life and world events do not wait. They happen everyday. With virtual books and materials to study, edits to the information can happen shortly after the historic event.

School publications online, can be easily edited and then goes out to everyone immediately. No waiting and falling more behind on the current information that is needed to meet the current college entrance or job employment. It just makes sense that today's, students need their school courses in a timely matter and not when it is all historical. We think most parents will believe and want this for their child as well.

Why does Oklahoma Virtual Public School make sense inside an arts academy? 

Why not? An Oklahoma public education offered in a private setting that offers the arts and sports training. It just might be the best environment for many kids. Just think, an environment that encourages movement, music making (and that means noise), physical activity and artistic endeavors.

When a student is frustrated with their studies, at ASPIRE they can go work out, play their instrument, sketch or dance to refocus then return to their studies. Or if they are really interested in learning more about the subject they are studying, they can take part of their school day to do more research and learn more.

More and more articles and research into the value of learning to play an instrument appear in the news, magazine and internet. Research shows that learning music should be a top priority for young children, teens and adults. In most school settings, children experience music from a couple of times a  week to every day depending on grade. But if there is any extension of the music, such as a true music theory class, that most likely is done after school. At ASPIRE, music theory is a part of the school day and week.

The body and brain connection is not new. Articles abound on the internet, in magazines and books. But in a setting that offers dance (tap/jazz/ballet/contemporary/clogging), gymnastics and acrobatics, yoga, sports training and more, there is a daily opportunity for students to participate in physical training.  Some studies have referenced these arts based classes as a link to doing better in school for young children and teens. Others mention the value of stress relief most children benefit from by participating in the arts.

Whether your child's passion is performing or fine arts, or not, the presence of these classes in your child's daily school schedule means they receive breaks from their general studies that also helps with fitness and brain function. Is you child feeling stressed about math? They can go to a piano studio within the facility and practice their music, returning when they have calmed down and can think again. Or move to the dance studio or gym and work out physically, returning to the studies ready to complete them.

The pairing of Oklahoma Virtual Public School and the classes at ASPIRE also means that if your child's passion is the arts, they now have more time available to them to train. More time for personal coaching. More time for technique. More time to attend conventions, competitions, workshops, etc.

If your child's passion is not the arts, but sports, being at ASPIRE allows for more time to train as well! And we already know the benefits of dance training for athletes.

More flexibility. More arts or sports training. More personal time. More family time. Attending Virtual Public School in an arts based setting may just be the educational setting that makes your child happy. And is that not what parents ultimately want for their children?

We invite parents in the Woodward area to take a look at ASPIRE for their child. Oklahoma Virtual Public School is FREE to all children 5 yrs - 18 yrs living in Oklahoma. ASPIRE does have a fee to cover the Learning Coach fees.

So why does ASPIRE Integrated School Option Make Sense?  Ask your child because we are sure they know the answer.



Mary Myers is the Director and Owner of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward OK

Why Lead to Succeed?

Last month, we started a new group at Academy of Fine Arts that all registered students, ages 7 - 18 yrs can opt to be a part of. The group is about learning to be a leader in school, classes at AOFA and in the community, and is at no extra charge to participating families.

September was our first meeting and most of the meeting was talking about what leadership is and what qualities do we think a leader has, or brings to different events and situations. It was a very enlightening time for all in attendance.

So why offer children an opportunity to learn about leadership and develop leadership skills of their own? Because becoming a strong leader takes time. Just like growing from a child to an adult cannot happen, learning to be a true leader takes time to mature as well. After all, leadership is more than just making better choices or being a big boy or girl. Leadership skills of true leaders, tend to start to develop as a child and teen.

I was invited into leadership training when I was ten years of age. I was involved with lessons as a student when the head of the program approached my parents about me becoming more than just a student of the course. She explained that I would continue to learn and improve my skills in the course I was participating in, but I would also learn to assist the instructors, be a demonstrator and learn leadership skills as well. This lady, that saw something special in my abilities, started me on one of the most wonderful adventures of my life...... teaching and leadership.

Over the years, I have had many opportunities to listen to and be trained by some of the worlds greatest personal development leaders. Jack Canfield, Les Hewitt, Michael Gerber, Fran Hewitt, Darren Hardy, Les Brown, Dave Crenshaw, Jim Abrams, Jim Rohn,  Dave Rendall, Steve Chandler and Sam Beckford to just name a few. Each with their own specialties and viewpoints, have helped me to develop into a leader for many different groups and organizations. Their knowledge about personal development and leadership growth continue to influence my life.

Now it is time to share this wealth of knowledge and training with a different group, our students at Academy of Fine Arts. As I stated before, last month we learned and discussed what leadership is and what it is about. We also discussed qualities of a leader. This month, we continue the conversation and will learn time management skills that leaders use to stay on track. Other things we will be discussing is switchtasking/multitasking versus prioritizing, planning and scheduling. Because these are all skills that help a person to be in position to lead.

As the months go by and the group grows in skills, we will be reaching out to others in our classes, school, homes and community with projects to continue the growth of leadership. We will also be learning skills as to how to supports others on their leadership journey. And we will also explore challenging others in the group to explore how they can put their leadership skills to use outside of the group and Academy of Fine Arts/

If you, as a parent, is unsure about your child dedicating one Saturday morning a month to this adventure, I suggest that you visit with me or allow them to attend a couple of meetings to see what your child's response is to the experience. Registered students age 7 - 18 yrs may attend and participate. We do hope to see your child this Saturday at Lead to Succeed.


Mary Myers is the owner and director of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward, OK