Battle Creek Times

A discussion of the arts program at Northwestern Middle School (NMS) was on the agenda during a recent Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education meeting.

The district has been working on an initiative to enhance its visual and performative arts program to provide students with more elective options.

NMS was chosen to transform its program with a move to a K-8 model for a new performative and visual arts academy to better serve and educate the student body. The district selected Northwestern because the school has not been up to district standards recently.

David Fooy, principal at NMS, spoke about why Northwestern was chosen to be a visual and performing arts academy.

"Just like our students at the high school have the opportunity to be in the academies, we're giving the middle school students opportunities," Fooy said. "If I'm a student and I have the opportunity or the option of going where I want to, then obviously, hopefully, that will increase their attendance, their engagement, and their success in that school. And if they're successful in middle school, then hopefully that'll build success at the high school."

Fooy said research shows that art helps students discover healthy expression and a sense of self, along with boosting their creative expression and academic performance. He said Northwestern was chosen because its students did not have any of those opportunities yet and they deserve to have them as part of their educational journey. Regarding the K-8 model, Fooy said it adds value because it builds relationships and a sense of belonging and security while capitalizing on academic opportunities.

The team also gave a progress update on the implementation of this transformation. Consultant Tamara Shreiner, the project director of the Grand Valley team working with the district, offered information. While she is a pre-K-12 initiative expert, she felt it would be best to also bring on an integrated arts expert to help form the best possible arts program. The school started to create a format involving multidisciplinary staff and lessons to help reach all students and allow them to explore the methods and areas of education that best serve them.