Oceanside Unified School District is delighted to share that our Visual and Performing Arts Programs have been empowered by the funding provided by the 2018 Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grant!

When asked in March of this year what our school district could do to better ensure the success of all students K­12, there was an overwhelming response by students, families and staff to offer more art and music enrichment. We are overjoyed to have the resources to address this need for our community, which will also support students’ social emotional needs while better preparing them for college and career.

Within our 16 elementary schools, 14 of which are Title I schoolwide schools, this grant funding will increase student access to researched based visual arts instruction by 90% during the 2019­20 school year, and provide quality materials to cultivate creativity to all 8,000 students. Our summer art program will provide up to 120 teachers with professional development, and give art opportunity to all students participating in our Migrant Education and Extended School Year Programs, which serve students with special needs, marginalized, and underserved youth.

SSAE grant funding has allowed us to enroll an additional 390 students in our district’s band and orchestra programs in the fall, while supplying them with new instruments. Middle school musicians will be invited to attend a free Summer Music Clinic with instrument specific coaches who will also provide professional development to our schools’ music teachers.

Students in grades two through twelve participating in our district’s Mariachi and Ballet Folklorico Dance programs will be supplied with costumes and materials to perform and share the culture of Mexico with our schools, families, and community.

To maximize the impact and sustainability of these programs, Oceanside is also utilizing funds to build the capacity of teacher leadership in these areas to expand the programs and engage in cycles of continuous improvement. In addition, we are developing and introducing a system of online professional learning that will empower all staff to access individualized training any time, any place in productivity, technology integration, social emotional learning, and digital citizenship, among many others.

Oceanside Unified School District is incredibly grateful for the funding provided by SSAE. Each student and staff member represented in our story will experience additional arts enrichment, positive learning environments, and increased academic achievement because of SSAE’s generous contribution to our programs.