Students at M.S. 53 in Queens, New York, have experienced changes in their lives since they started involving arts in their curriculum. The school principal, Shawn Rux, reinforced the subjects under arts such as singing, dancing and theater back in 2011.
According to Fox 5 New York, although the program for the arts has always been there, it wasn't really that embraced until Rux became the principal. Apparently, there were several suspended students before the program was implemented -- even shooting up to 280 suspended students, in addition to 22 staff members who quit the institution before the program for the arts became regular.
It was almost impossible for that school to turn around and produce quality and dedicated students for their education. But Rux has so much faith in the students of M.S. 53, as well as in the power of education. He took a leap of faith and accepted the challenge.
His risk paid off when change started to occur with the hallways looking brighter with empowering messages written on their walls. Students who used to look insecure are more confident and are even more active in school.
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Rux believes that a program for the arts is crucial in education. As it turns out, he believes it's because it gives a chance for kids to be creative and be more sociable while learning the meaning of teamwork.
This new principal of M.S. 53 didn't allow the school to move forward not having a program for the arts, which is why he created a new curriculum. From then on, the school was not the same including the students who are more active and even happier coming to their class.
They are also now more inspired to excel in school. Rux is convinced that their program for the arts has a lot to do with it. Edutopia said that arts education is important in a student's life because it enhances their cognitive skills to understand all their other subjects.
Do you think all schools in America should have a program for the arts? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
