Kasia Obrzut
Director Elementary Education
CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Editor’s Note: This month’s column by a local educator focuses on the arts as a key part of a student’s education. Formative experiences with the arts helps learners to develop creative problem-solving skills. 72 percent of business leaders say that creativity is the number one skill they are seeking when hiring. Businesses understand that arts education strengthens problemsolving and critical thinking skills and develops quality task performance and goal-setting— all skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
The Carlsbad Unified School District recognizes the importance of a comprehensive arts education program as an integral part of every student’s education. The District uses a variety of resources to provide a wide range of educational experiences in the arts, including instruction in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.
At the elementary school level, all sites have, or are in the process of developing, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) labs. These allow students to experience these subject areas in creative and innovative ways. Each school has a dedicated music teacher funded through a generous grant from the Carlsbad Educational Foundation. Every kindergarten through fifth grade class receives weekly music lessons, including both instrumental and choral music. Many of the elementary schools also fund a visual arts teachers through their Parent-Teacher Associations to provide students with supplemental instruction in this area. While the majority of arts instruction at elementary is in music and visual arts, classroom teachers integrate dance, media arts, and theatre into other subject areas throughout the year. The focus is to build awareness and foster a love of the arts to encourage students to pursue these as electives when they move into secondary schools.
Once students enter middle and high school, classes in the arts are offered as elective pathways. Students can select courses and pathways to build on an area of strength as well as learn a new skill. There are also many opportunities for students to showcase their talents, including performances, competitions, and showcases in the areas of art, theater, dance, band, orchestra, and choir. CUSD has an award winning secondary visual and performing arts programs which has earned numerous awards each year and is constantly recognized for their excellence. Our VAPA classes also work with local community organizations and industry professionals which allows students to learn about professions in the arts as well as refine their skills with feedback from professionals. We are grateful for the support of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation who continues to support the arts in middle and high school via grants for teachers or programs.