School year Arts and Enrichment Program

West Middle and MD Fox Elementary School students who are a part of the Tutoring/Mentoring Program also participate in the Arts and Enrichment Program.  ConnectiKids Arts & Enrichment Cultural Learning Academy, a short series of classes facilitated by local artists, run on a cyclical schedule throughout the school year where children work around a theme in order to reach a goal by the end of each class.  Children self select and participate in classes which interest them.  This approach allows instructors to have a class filled with children who are genuinely invested in the activity and therefore facilitates a highly productive end result.  Another positive outcome of this approach is that children are empowered by being able to pick activities that fall in line with their extra curricular interests. 

This unique venture provides our students with a Cultural Learning Academy.  This model encompasses the synergy of school based concepts and themes with the arts.  To create new cultural perspectives on school based learning this process will include world art and culture classes, martial arts and philosophy, and health through nutritional cooking.  At the conclusion of each workshop, the students will produce materials and learn new skills which will be showcased at special presentations during the year.