News and Announcements
Students Receive a Gold Medal Prize in Dancing Classrooms Ballroom Dance Competition
December 21, 2009
Independence Charter School team of twelve fifth grade students received a gold medal prize in Dancing Classrooms Philly’s semi-final ballroom dance competition on December 9 at Our Lady of Ransom School in Northeast Philadelphia. Independence Charter along with the other three gold prize winning school teams will participate in Dancing Classroom Philly’s “Colors of the Rainbow Team Match”, a competition featuring eight Philadelphia elementary school dance teams scheduled for June 6 at Temple University’s McGonigle Hall.
Top and bottom: Independence Charter students participate in the fifth grade dance performance, held December 2-3, 2009.
Independence Charter’s participation in the Dancing Classroom Philly’s semifinal and final dance competitions represents the culmination of the school providing free weekly ballroom dance instruction to the its entire fifth grade class during this past fall semester. Following the ten week ballroom dance program, the eighty-two fifth grade students participated in a school dance performance and pairs competition from which the semifinal contestants were chosen.
Independence Charter’s participation in the Dancing Classrooms Philly program was made possible through a foundation grant and a matching contribution from the school’s PTA. Independence Charter which includes weekly dance movement instruction in its curriculum is thrilled to offer its students a more comprehensive introduction to the classic ballroom dances. In addition to learning the steps, students also study the history and social etiquette of the waltz, the foxtrot, the swing, the tango etc.
Independence Charter believes that studying dance and the other arts has a positive impact on academic performance. The proof is in the results. Independence Charter students have made AYP for the last six years. According to CEO Jurate Krokys. “Unfortunately, many educational establishments see ballroom dancing as something extra when in fact it is a fantastic way to teach to the (PSSA) test. ICS students learn not only personal discipline and dancing skills, but also tickle those neurons necessary for making cognitive connections.”
Congratulations to the 12 Gold Medal Prize Winners!
Aya Albasti
Kareem Davis
David DeJesus
Shaniyah Lonon
Jasmine McQueen
Charles Miller
Kya Moseley
Ryir Norris
Stella Perrault
Gerrit Roscioli
Isarael Sandoval
Ahmirah White
Visit the Dancing Classrooms Philly website for more information.
