Creativity thrives in levy-supported arts programs

Every song, brushstroke, and dramatic performance produced in our classrooms is a testament to what’s possible when communities invest in the arts. Across the district, the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy helps keep that creativity alive. The levy supports teachers, materials, and opportunities that make art and music a part of every student’s education. “The levy is the backbone supporting these programs,” said Mike Saccomanno, our Director of Teaching & Learning for Arts & Curriculum Integration. “And these programs aren’t extra. They’re really what makes a full, rich, well-rounded education.” In Bethel, every student takes music and art. From kindergarten classrooms filled with watercolor palettes to high school stages alive with performance, the arts help students connect, collaborate, and express themselves in ways that reach far beyond a grade or report card. “The research is pretty clear about the multitude of benefits students receive through participation in these music and arts programs,” Saccomanno said. He says one of the most powerful parts of arts education is the way it creates connection. “That sense of belonging we’re all striving for with all of our social-emotional programs is really embodied in music education,” he said. “There’s a term in music education you hear a lot – it’s called ensemble. It’s bringing a group of people together – unique voices, unique talents – and together creating something they can’t create alone.” That sense of unity strengthens academics, too. Students who study the arts often perform better in other subjects because creativity and critical thinking overlap. “Music is a math,” Saccomanno explained. “You look at a time signature and it’s just a fraction, rhythms are just subdivisions of a beat, looking at a musical score is equivalent to looking at a scientific graph or data, a lot of the singing is in different languages.” For many students, those skills lead to college scholarships or future careers in creative fields. For others, the arts simply spark a lifelong appreciation for expression and teamwork. Each year, our schools host concerts, exhibitions, and festivals that showcase student talent and welcome families and neighbors to share in the celebration. “Our schools are just alive with these programs throughout the year and they’re open to the community,” Saccomanno said. “That’s what we do – we create art to share with others.”