October 22, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released a letter from the Senator applauding the announcement of a four-year grant totaling $1,911,849 from the U.S. Department of Education to support arts education in four public schools in Portland.
The funding, which was announced today during an event at Howard C. Reiche Community School in Portland that was attended by Senator King's staff, will be used to support Project IMAGINE, a partnership between education nonprofit Side x Side and the University of Southern Maine that is designed to integrate the arts into core subjects at Howard C. Reiche Community School as well as Ocean Avenue Elementary School, East End Community School, and Riverton Elementary School, all of Portland.
In a letter read on his behalf at the event, Senator King praised Project IMAGINE:
“The world is changing around us, and it is important to think about how we can restructure our fundamental approach to education. What worked forty years ago isn’t necessarily going to work today. It is imperative that we equip our students with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century, and Project IMAGINE recognizes that critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are at the top of the list.”
The grant funding is provided through the Department of Education's Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination (AEMDD) Program and will more specifically enable Side x Side and USM to provide educational programming that integrates the arts with core subjects such as math, social studies, language arts, and science in an effort to help students develop deeper critical thinking, decision-making, and collaboration skills. Together, Side x Side and USM will pilot and evaluate Project IMAGINE at the K-5 level in the four schools.
Members of Senator King's staff and family attended the event along with Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, State Senate President Justin Alfond, staff from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office, officials from Side x Side and USM, and representatives from Portland schools. King’s complete letter of congratulations can be read below:
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October 22, 2014
Side x Side
141 Neal Street
Portland, Maine 04102
University of Southern Maine
PO Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104
Dear Friends,
Congratulations on receiving this Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination grant award from the U.S. Department of Education. The collaboration between Side x Side and the University of Southern Maine has yielded encouraging results, and this exciting federal investment will allow you to expand on your combined efforts.
The world is changing around us, and it is important to think about how we can restructure our fundamental approach to education. What worked forty years ago isn’t necessarily going to work today. It is imperative that we equip our students with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century, and Project IMAGINE recognizes that critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are at the top of the list.
The arts impower our students, encourage them to think critically and creatively, and serve as a platform to foster teamwork and cooperation. Integrating the arts with core subjects such as math, social studies, language arts and science is an innovative step in the mission to reimagine our approach to education. I applaud the goals of Project IMAGINE and will be following your work closely.
Again, congratulations and keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Angus S. King, Jr.
United States Senator
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