SPOTLIGHT ON - MARYLAND ELEMENTARY
Renée Evans is in her first year as the Principal of Maryland Elementary, and significant changes are already underway. In the past school year, Maryland has launched exciting new music and dance programs to increase its arts education offerings.
Evans’s background, which includes a music degree, as well as a collaborative process with Maryland families and new and veteran Maryland staff, has led to several new music and arts opportunities for the school’s students. Says Evans, “Music is so beneficial for kids and language learners. [Music] is a universal language; all of the arts are.”
When Evans arrived at the school, she was thrilled to discover that music teacher Jordan Beck had also shifted from Beaumont to Maryland. The two joined existing teacher Reagan Duncan in booting the school’s music and arts opportunities. Duncan is part of the national Guitars In The Classroom program and has hosted a ukulele club for students after school.
With Beck on hand to build on Duncan’s work by introducing music classes and starting a band, Evans also heard from the community that arts programs like a band and Ballet Folklorico were among those most requested from families. Counselor Blanca Rodriguez stepped in to research and develop that dance program.
The result: Rodriguez has headed up a Ballet Folklorico dance program while Beck provides music lessons for all 3rd - 5th graders as well as starting a 5th grade band, all on top of Duncan’s existing guitar and ukulele work.
Music Education and Band
Beck splits his time teaching music and band between Maryland and Foothills Oak Elementary. Maryland inherited the band instruments from Beaumont when it closed down, including flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and saxophones.
“Forming our band has been one of the biggest changes,” says Beck. “The kids are jazzed, and parents are jazzed. It’s so cool to see.” And they are starting in impressive style. Maryland’s band will perform at Art Under the Stars at the Moonlight Theater on Tuesday, April 8th.
“It’s still the first year for the band, but we already have 3rd graders asking if 4th graders can be in band yet,” says Evans. “We hop to expand the program as we are able, which is really exciting.”
Maryland students also benefit from the Guitars in the Classroom program, and Beck teaches them to use recorders and Boomwhackers (tuned percussion sticks) and learn symbolization and the language of music.
Principal Evans explains the benefits of introducing music and dance to the school: “Now kids are excited to stay after school for band, and excited to come to school because they know it’s their music day.
“Not every child is an academic or an athlete, but they were the only things we were offering. Now we can say, ‘Do you like dancing? If so, here’s a way to connect you to school’.
“Music opens up emotions you might not be able to talk about in English because of the language barrier, yet you can sit down and play together. Music creates connection, belonging, and engagement.
“We know that academic outcomes and life outcomes are improved when kids feel seen on campus, connected, and able to express themselves.”
Ballet Folklorico and Listening to the Community
Maryland’s Ballet Folklorico program came about thanks to a recent grant. Parent surveys had indicated that many would like an after-school club with a dance performance, and the new program has already been a resounding success.
“Ballet Folklorico is part of most of our students’ cultures, so for them to be able to come to school and be celebrated for doing it is amazing,” says Evans.
“We have 15 students from 3rd through 5th grade who rehearse twice a week all year round,” explains counselor Blanca Rodriguez. “The instructor comes in twice a month to teach the steps, and then we choreograph. We’re learning dances from various regions in Mexico and are learning 3 songs right now. We’re almost there!”
The students will perform for the whole school on April 30. “The students are very excited to finally perform,” smiles Rodriguez. “A little nervous maybe but very happy and eager to show their peers that they are part of their community. I know they are going to do their best.”
She says there has been a lot of interest in signing up for the next school year: “This is huge. There haven’t been any bands or performances at Maryland, so this is something new for the kids and the whole community.”
Building Community Relationships
Summing up the spirit of Maryland Elementary as her first year as Principal nears its end, Evans concludes: “We love kids and our families are amazing – they are appreciative and thankful.
“One thing that Maryland does really well in is relationships. When we had our Equity Walk recently, the presenter on ‘relationships’ said when they are supposed to list areas of growth, ‘We’ve got nothing!’
“That is because we have systems in place that very pointedly connect with kids that we don’t know much about. When we get a new enrollee, our liaisons reach out to parents and arrange a meeting to let them know all the things and services we offer and ask ‘How can we help?’
“They’ve always done it. If you come to Maryland, you’re going to be loved. It just feels good here. It can be hard because educators are impacted when we absorb the things these kids have experienced and shouldn’t have. It feels heavy to us, but you wouldn’t know that walking around. There’s joy and there’s love.”
School Statement of Thanks: Maryland Elementary would like to formally extend our sincere appreciation to Tierra Caliente Academy for their valued partnership. Through their collaboration, our students have had the enriching opportunity to participate in Ballet Folklórico club class sessions, celebrating culture, tradition, and the arts within our school community. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting our students’ cultural and artistic growth, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership.