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LETTER FROM THE ARTS COORDINATOR
Dear Arts Colleagues and friends,
This year has been a whirlwind of changes and unusual circumstances: an international pandemic, distance learning,
fires, heatwaves, as well as social, economic, and political upheaval. It is under these circumstances that I want to give you
the status report of sorts on the progress of Artspiration since I landed in the position. It has been a busy time at the Santa Clara County Office as we negotiate support for schools, particularly as it relates to
distance learning. Some of the tasks that were accomplished include: · renewing the Hewlett Foundation grant that supports the programmatic work of Artspiration; · starting a strategic plan convening in June with a mixture of teachers, administrators, funders and arts
organization to examine and extend the last year of the previous plan with a strong racial equity focus with
support for Title I districts; · forming an Arts Education Leadership Council to include a wide range of stakeholders to support
and inform Artspiration and will be convened three times this year; · convening a new team of professional experts, all of whom have strong arts practice and arts
integration; (Please see their bios under the About Us tab)
o Justin August, Data and Arts Education Research o Aimee Espiritu, Arts Equity o Katherine (Kati) Silva, Spanish Bilingual Arts Integration and Restorative Practice · finalizing a new module for CCSESA Arts that will be published with resources for educators and
refreshing a published module on culturally responsive pedagogy;
· forming a strong alliance between the arts leads of CCSESA region 4 and 5 to plan some
cross-regional work this year; · holding a 5-day Arts Equity and Transformative Teaching workshop and learning module took place
with schools and arts organizations in June to form a Community of Practice to support the new strategies
this year;
· starting three new communities of practice this year. (Look for more information below!)
Additionally, the Marion Cilker Conference for the Arts in Education has been redesigned, and will be going online
this year on November 6 and 7 from 8 am-1 pm. In this worldwide health crisis, issues of social justice, economic
instability, and racial inequities have come into sharp relief in recent months. We are at an inflection point in imagining
new ways in approaching our work as educators. We have designed guidelines to address the conditions of the new
environment of learning and teaching by curating sessions with a strong focus on social emotional learning for teachers
and students, integrated learning, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching through the arts. Come away with new
strategies to energize your work and engage your students in the virtual classrooms.
I look forward to continuing to serve you in this work around arts education! These are the key events that have taken
place in the previous semester and moving into this semester. Please do contact me if you have any questions, concerns,
ideas and topics for discussion, new strategies in teaching and learning! Have a great year and know that I and my team
are here to support you in your work!
Be well and stay connected!
Sofia Fojas
Arts Coordinator
September 13–19 Is National Arts in Education Week
Celebrate and Advocate!
Designated by Congress in 2010, House Resolution 275 names the week beginning with the second
Sunday in September as National Arts in Education Week. During this week, the field of arts education
and its supporters join together in communities across the country to tell the story of the transformative
power of the arts in education. For more information, see the following link: https://bre.is/ypyjrrFc.
NEW GUIDANCE FOR BAND & CHOIR CLASSES 2020-21 IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY Can band and choir rehearsals be conducted in person if students meet outdoors, wear masks, and remain
socially distant while playing or singing?
Response:
At the present time, the guidance remains accurate and reflects the best science that we have available.
Specifically,
- Do not allow electives and extracurricular activities in which physical distancing (at least six feet) and face covering
use cannot be maintained at all times. - Do not allow aerosol generating activities, including in-person choir, band, and vocal cheerleading activities
(cheers and chants)due to increased risk of disease transmission
As there is not sufficient science around aerosol-generation of band and choral activities, both indoor and outdoor
activities are prohibited at this time. We will continue to review additional science related to this topic and adjust
the guidance as appropriate.
In-person choir, band, and vocal cheerleading activities must be modified to eliminate in-person singing, playing of
wind instruments, cheering and chanting. We encourage schools to consider arts activities such as choir and band
rehearsal usingZoom or other distance learning platforms that allows students to participate in separate spaces
employing a flipped modelwhere practice is done at home or using distance-learning technology and in-person class
time is used for non-aerosol generating arts activities (such as rhythm study, music theory, music history, composition,
analysis, and more) may be done in person in classroom settings that comply with the guidance on classroom settings.
Counties on the Move: Arts Education for All Students
The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) Statewide Arts Initiative
believes that the visual and performing arts are an integral part of a comprehensive curriculum and are
essential for learning in the 21st century. All California students - from every culture, geographic region
and socio-economic level—deserve quality arts learning in dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual
arts as part of the core curriculum. Every student needs and deserves a high-quality education in the
visual and performing arts.
This publication is a celebration of progress in improving and increasing arts education throughout California through the
58 county offices of education. It is intended to provide a glimpse of the excellent work being done on behalf of students
in California’s public schools. The document also serves another purpose. Along with snapshots of how county offices are
supporting arts education, the information reveals the statewide arts education network and supporting infrastructure
needed to provide leadership training, program planning, curriculum, professional development, and resources in arts
education. Written in their own words, these short descriptions reveal different approaches in reaching our diverse
student populations in California. For more information please click here or use the following link https://bre.is/DNVAyoDZ.
CDE 2020-21 Guidance for Arts Education
Performing Arts Aerosol Study - Preliminary Findings Initial results of an aerosol study commissioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS),
the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and more than 125 performing arts organizations yielded
preliminary data and considerations that could help prevent the cancellation of performing arts activities in the future
amid the Coronavirus pandemic.To view the full article and information, please click on the link: https://bre.is/AhavfmWf.
Upcoming Events
Come and join us in a new community of practice! All are welcome: teachers, administrators, teaching artists, arts organizations, and
arts allies serving the young people in Santa Clara County. Through the Artspiration Community of Practice, we will engage with each
other around specific topics impacting our lives to improve teaching and learning in a virtual world. Topics include ways to include new
CA Arts Standards and Framework; social emotional learning and the arts; unpacking racism through the arts; arts and the Black Lives
Movement; and, indigenous ways of knowledge and learning. We see the arts as a tool for healing, connecting to self and community,
increasing student engagement, and nurturing creativity. The Arts are essential!
For more information and the flyer, click on the image above or go to https://bre.is/hWZBanKX. To REGISTER, please click here, or the
use the following link, https://bre.is/rMgfGc7R.
CAEA Virtual Gathering 
Join the CAEA Virtual Conference on November 4–7, 2020. and supercharge your superpower in teaching visual arts.
For more information, please click here or use the link: https://bre.is/tCFLpTxW. For access to the CAEA website and
to register for this event, please use the following link: https://www.caea-arteducation.org/conference.
AEP 2020 Virtual Gathering 
Registration for the 2020 APE Virtual Gathering hosted by the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) at Education
Commission of the States. For more information, please click on the link below for the flyer and registration.
Link: https://bre.is/egqD5K6h
Arts Distance Learning & Updates
FALL 2020 Guidance for Music Education
With recent direction to cancel bands and choir until futher notice, educators are finding new and creative avenues to to teach. We would like to share some resources for PreK-12 school administrators and music educators seeking to provide meaningful music instruction for students of all ages and grade levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this unique time, music educators are modifying their practices not only in teaching, but in classroom orientation, cleaning, spacing and management. It is understood that, as trained professionals, music educators want to offer the very best instruction so all students can learn and grow in their knowledge, understanding, and love of music. This guide asserts that music educators can still do that, but also acknowledges that how we deliver teaching may be different than in the past.
Fall 2020 Guidance for Music Education: https://bre.is/5Rzhn4Gn
Fall 2020 Guidance for Music Education (PDF)
NAfMe COVID-19 Resources: https://bre.is/MLKm5faw
NFHS Performing Arts COVID-19 Resources: https://bre.is/hTF5zLBN
NAfMe and NFHS Updated Guidance Info: https://bre.is/XZKCBu6C
EdTA has reviewed multiple guides, studies, and expert resources and synthesized them into a series of suggestions for the reopening of theatre
classrooms and facilities. This document offers recommendations for how theatre educators can continue to provide meaningful theatre education
experiences for their students in the COVID-19 era, as well as programmatic guidance for state, district, and school decision makers who are tasked
with deciding how education will be delivered to students in the 2020-21 school year and beyond. It represents the best guidance available at the
time of writing.
NATIONAL DANCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION
The Nationial Dance Education Organization (NDEO) provides opportunities for professional development trainings, networking forum, resources, and tools
for educators and administrators in the Art discipline of Dance. As we navigate through this time of COVID-19 and the social justice movments, NDEO offers
various webinars, reading materials, and virtual meetings to support and respond during these challenging times. For more information, please use the link.
COVID-19 Online Offerings : https://bre.is/AAwWfhEp
ARTS EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL The following statement of support for arts education has been reviewed and endorsed by national organizations.
It is imparative that all students ave access to an equitable delivery of arts education that includes
dance, media arts, music, theatre, and virtual arts that supports their education, social, and emotional
well-being, taught by certified professional arts educators in partnership with community arts providers For more information, please click on the flyer below.
 Arts_Education_Is_Essential unified statement.pdf
CREATE CA - #CREATEATHOME 
The following message is from CreateCA, for more information please click the hashtag image above or
use the hyperlink below.
Art gives all of us the power to make meaning. Through stories, we understand how small details come to
represent big ideas. This week, as part of Create at Home, we’re giving you the tools to make sense of your
world with art.
#CaArtsEdChat on Twitter Every Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. Join @PCrooks_VAPA and arts education experts from across the state for a Twitter Chat every Wednesday from 4:00 PST. We are growing a statewide virtual professional learning community for educators, artists, and others passionate about arts education. Let’s chat about the new state arts standards, best practices, and the great things happening in your classes. If you have never Twitter Chatted, here is the helpful website with instructions. the arts matter.
Film by Iris L., 10th Grader at Silver Creek High School, East Side Union High School District First Place Winner of the Student Voices Campaign
Iris L. with Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Superintendent of Schools
Read this article:- By Gary Waddell, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Equity, Educational Progress and Public Affairs
- for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
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