S*0400 Resolution, By Scott
 A SENATE RESOLUTION LAUDING DORCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO ON RECEIVING THE
 PRESTIGIOUS 2006 KENNEDY CENTER ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION NETWORK AND
 NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AWARD, HONORING THE DISTRICT'S OUTSTANDING
 SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OF HIGH-QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION, AND WISHING THEM MUCH
 CONTINUED SUCCESS.

   02/06/07  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-5

LAUDING DORCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO ON RECEIVING THE PRESTIGIOUS 2006 KENNEDY CENTER ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION NETWORK AND NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AWARD, HONORING THE DISTRICT'S OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OF HIGH-QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION, AND WISHING THEM MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS.

Whereas, Dorchester School District Two in Summerville, South Carolina, was presented with the 18th Annual Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award on April 11, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois; and

Whereas, since the prestigious award's conception in 1989, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has recognized thirty seven school boards in twenty three states for their support of arts education; and

Whereas, Dorchester School District Two was chosen for this meritorious award from among nearly 15,000 local school districts, serving more than forty-seven million students, represented by the National School Boards Association; and

Whereas, a national review panel selects the school district for this nationally coveted honor based on demonstrated encouragement for all four artistic disciplines: visual arts, music, theater, and dance, to all students within the district; and

Whereas, Dorchester District Two is boosting learning and sparking enthusiasm for knowledge among its 19,500 students through its "Arts as Core Academic" program that brings arts education away from the periphery of the curriculum and into a focused, standards-based instruction; and

Whereas, Dorchester School District Two exemplifies its dedication to arts education for all children, from early childhood education through twelfth grade, by employing highly qualified arts teachers in collaboration with classroom teachers, volunteers, and the community; and

Whereas, the Board of Trustees demonstrates its commitment through generous arts education financing. In addition to providing budget allocations for teachers and supplies; supplemental funding is also given to extra-curricular activities, to equip fine arts wings at the high schools, and to open Rollings Middle School of the Arts, dedicated to arts as a core subject; and

Whereas, Rollings Middle School for the Arts is the district's highest achieving school on mandated tests and was also awarded the Creative Ticket National School of Distinction Award in 2003 from the Kennedy Center; and

Whereas, in offering community support and expanded opportunities for their students, the district partners with the Spoleto Festival, an international arts festival, and the Moja Festival, a national African-American arts festival. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, laud Dorchester School District Two upon receipt of the prestigious Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award, honor the district's outstanding support and promotion of high-quality arts education and wish them much continued success.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees.