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WHEREAS, the arts, including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts and media, is included in federal and state legislation’s definition of a well-rounded education; and,
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has created arts learning standards and require districts to assess students in the arts to ensure proficiency in the standards; and,
WHEREAS, learning in and through the arts enables students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, imagination and creativity, multiple ways to communicate and convey emotions and ideas, and cross-cultural connections and empathy, which support academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth in the classroom and community; and,
WHEREAS, the arts can transform our schools into havens of creativity and exploration, allow for counter-narratives in order to learn from them, cultivate and empower youth culture, and build upon social justice, identification and representation; and,
WHEREAS, the arts provide extensions beyond the classroom to experience a wide variety of artistic opportunities including showcasing arts learning in public venues, working with professional artists from arts and cultural organizations, and experiencing the real-world arts through field trips; and,
WHEREAS, the arts require sustenance in order to survive and thrive; contributions and dedication of arts educators and advocates across the city continue to broaden and strengthen equitable access to arts education for all students;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare March 2019 as “Arts in Our Schools Month” in the City of Pittsburgh.