Arts Integration at CES has continued this school year, allowing classroom teachers to collaborate with the visual arts teacher to achieve curricular goals and to promote learning through, about and with the arts. Here are a few highlights from this year:

In late October, CES students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades hosted the annual Harvest Supper. Each student created a handmade clay bowl for soup. This activity was inspired by the Empty Bowls project, developed by an art teacher to promote art learning, community involvement and service. The soup bowls symbolize both full and empty bowls, helping learners empathize with others in need of food. Students created an original clay bowl using clay and a slab technique. The bowls were decorated with stamped patterns and colored glazes, requiring 2 firings in our kiln. Each student wrote an artist statement and wove a display placemat for their bowl. Families enthusiastically brought the bowls home to use and or display in their homes. This is a wonderful community tradition at CES that also allowed us to raise funds that were donated to a local soup kitchen.

During arts integration, first-graders created puppet characters and learned paper sculpting skills to create features (ears, horns, legs, eyes, etc.) on their puppet. Once the puppet was completed, they practiced storytelling skills including character development, setting and major events. Working in partners, learners were challenged to orally present their puppet characters and provide feedback. Such fun!

Second-graders have started an integrated unit focused on the books of Jan Brett. They are learning about narrative writing and wrote their own original stories, which will be included in a handmade illustrated book. Learners are using their knowledge of the style of Jan Brett’s books to create detailed borders, sidebar story panels that tell a second story or foreshadow events, and illustrated pages including characters, setting, events, problems and solutions. In addition to working on these books, students will be learning the art of bookmaking and will craft several book structures during their weekly art classes.

Kindergarten learners will also have the opportunity to take part in integrated arts activities. The teachers are currently crafting a plan that will allow students to learn about mapping. They will be mapping the Canterbury town center!

Special recognition goes to Angus Todd, our 2023 CES Kid Governor candidate. Angus competed with other fifth-grade students from schools around New Hampshire. Mrs. Baldi, our fifth-grade teacher, and Mrs. Gingrich, our enrichment teacher, both collaborated with Angus on his platform, which was focused on reducing homelessness in the state. Angus presented his platform and community projects to the Shaker Regional School Board at one of their recent meetings. Angus showed leadership, maturity and passion in his campaign, and we are proud of him (and his classmates for their wonderful support)!

A deliberative session for the 2024-2025 school budget will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Belmont High School beginning at 6 pm. All warrant articles will be considered at this session. There will be opportunities for explanation, discussion and amendment of each article. The conclusion of each article will result in voting either to add the article to the ballot for voting on Election Day in its original form or to add the article to the ballot for voting as amended. When the deliberative session is adjourned, the language of each article will be finalized, but there will be no decision on whether or not it is passed. On Election Day, Tuesday, March 12, voters will mark “yes” or “no” on each warrant article in the voting booths with the outcome of each article being decided. Candidates for the open school board seats will also be on the ballot. Belmont residents will vote at Belmont High School and Canterbury residents will vote at the Town Hall. Individuals who qualify for absentee voting may contact the SAU Office at 603-267-9223 for information.

~ Erin Chubb, Principal