Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) announced today that a state grant of $1,310 has been made to the John E. Burke Elementary School in Peabody. The grant is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Event & Residency Program, which supports short- and long-term residencies of artists in schools.
The grant will be used to support a variety of poetry-related activities with poet Elizabeth McKim. It will support performances and workshops for students in grades K-5.
"I am very pleased that state funds will be used to give the children of Burke Elementary School the opportunity to participate in creative, hands-on learning activities," said Senator Berry. "It is critical to give our schools the resources necessary to meet the education reform requirements, which emphasize the importance of the arts in the curriculum."
Numerous studies have
shown that in-depth participation in cultural programs by schoolchildren enhances
cognitive and work skills, builds creative and critical thinking skills, reduces
truancy and drop-out rates, and encourages greater self-esteem.