Friday, March 9, 2012

Senator Mark Begich JAMMs at Glacier Valley

Senator Mark Begich Visits Glacier Valley and 1st Graders in JAMM
U.S. Senator Mark Begich visited Glacier Valley while in Juneau for his address to the Alaska Legislature.  During his visit to the school, he played alongside our JAMM violinists and received help from a 1st grader who taught him how to hold the bow.

Senator Begich visited Glacier Valley to experience firsthand how the school integrates the arts to boost core academic skills. He also learned of the school district's budget cuts and that JAMM could be eliminated next year with the reduction in specialist positions.  In a Juneau Empire article covering his visit, Senator Begich said, "Really a program like JAMM is the new core.  To cut it would be a mistake."

Senator Begich advocates for a well-rounded education that produces informed and engaged citizens, which is why he would like to see the acronym STEM replaced by STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART and Math).

Thank you, Senator Begich, for visiting our school and supporting the right of every child to receive a public education that develops their intellectual, social and emotional well-being.