Des Lee Fine Arts Collaborative

Dear Parents,

As members of a Des Lee Fine Arts Collaborative school, our students are able to participate in Saint Louis's premier arts programs.

Our 7th graders have again this year participated in the Scottish Partnership for Arts in Education Program. (SPAE).

Saint Louis Poet Laureate, Pacia Anderson, visited 7th grade ELA classes. Students learned about the connections between the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, and the African American poet, Paul Lawrence Dunbar. They learned about different types of poetry and wrote their own poems. This was part of a larger poetry unit that Mrs. Down's teaches.

Students also participated in the Scots and American Song Workshop during music classes on January 21st and 28th with renowned musician Jil Chambless.

This is part of a larger World Music Unit that Mrs. Seiler teaches.

On Friday, January 30th, there was a concert at The Focal Point in Maplewood. Students were invited to perform on stage the pieces they learned in music class.

We are grateful to Mrs. Downs and Mrs. Seiler for their preparation of the students and coordination of these programs.

On February 4th, some of our SGA Band students were able to attend the Des Lee Middle School Fine Arts Concert. Students were able to work with other Middle School students from throughout the region and perform on stage at the Touhill on the USML campus. Sister Gail Buckman was the Band Concert conductor! Thanks to Mr. Unnerstall for preparing the students for this awesome opportunity.