Art Calendar as a Communication Tool presented by Robin Russell and Cara Steetz

2. Student
Art Calendar
Engaging and educating
your community through
an advocacy and
communication tool.

3. Historical Perspective
! Participating other
calendars
• Bundy-Morgan
• Fine Arts Council
! Significance to student
winners

4. Putting it into Context
! About our art program
over time
! Possible cuts

5. Involvement in the
Total School Program
! SIC School Improvement Committee
! SAC School Advisory Committee
! DWAC District-wide Advisory Committee
! PTO Parent Teacher Organization
! Parent Picture Program
! Clubs
! Team Integrated Learning
! Mentor program

6. Goals ! Motivate students
to create quality
work
! Another
opportunity to
exhibit
! Communication tool
to share about the
art program
! District
communication tool

7. Process for
Approval
! Proposal
! Present to DWAC, SIC,
SAC, PTO

8. Sponsors
! 1st and 2nd years,
split 1/3
! 3rd year, cost of
project increased a
bit, still split 1/3
! 4th year, district
showed
commitment by
paying more

9. Work Selected
! Photo - no student
names
! Seek Judges -
male/female, each
school, sponsors
! Amount chosen

10. Guidelines
! Criteria Sheet -
not by topic
or month
! Designed to
showcase the
art program

11. The Paperwork
! Notify Student
! Permission to
publish collected

12. Piecing it together
! Choose months for each picture
! Info for connection component

13. Production
! Dates - personalized
for district’s needs
! Production deadlines
! Design Changes
! Covers
! Proofs
! Printing
! Distribution - First
day of school

14. Feedback / Results
! Students honored at Board of Education
meetings

15. In their own words

16. “Art is important to me because it taught me important
values, such as pride and working hard. Art is also
important because it challenges you. It is also fun.”
Ador Rahman

17. What the professionals have to say
! Printer and Art Calendar Co-Sponsor
!For the past 4 years, I"ve had the pleasure of being a art calendar judge for Medinah
School District 11. #Each year, I"m amazed at the quality of work that all students
accomplish, knowing they have a very limited amount of classroom time with Robin.
#As a sponsor of the calendar, I believe and have heard from the local community that
seeing the students abilities displayed in a school art calendar is a reminder of the
importance of a structured school setting for teaching and experiencing art. The
calendar has certainly become a welcome part of $Back to School%.&
Mark Boroughf, Printing Plus
! INSPRA Award of Excellence

18. Connection to the Community
! The calendar is an integral part
of the District’s communication-it
is the one everyone uses
! Available thru sponsors to the
community as a whole
! The art program is visible and
viable showing art as integral
part of education
! I continue to stay involved in as
many aspects of the school
community as I can
! Most important- I truly do
believe that students are
motivated to create the best
quality of art work they can.

19. What’s next?
! The template is
in place
! The process
starts again:
submit proposal,
seek sponsors,
collect work,
gather judges
and generate
ideas for
improvement

20. Board of
Education
!
! !I want to congratulate and thank you and your team for another great job on our schools
annual art calendar.# It was a pleasant surprise the first time you unveiled the calendar as the
quality of work throughout all grade levels is impressive.# I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and
congratulate the students whose art is being showcased during our last board meeting. Please
pass on my congratulations and thanks to everyone involved for another very fine effort.&
Jim Mallory, BOE
Medinah School District 11
School 11

21. Administrative
Feedback
! !The Art Calendar program
that Ms. Russell has developed,
has been an excellent
opportunity to reach out to our
local community while putting
our $best foot% 'the children(
forward. I%d highly encourage
other school districts to explore
the possibility of creating a
Student Art Calendar program
of their own!&#
Dr. Joe Bailey
Superintendent

22. ! The vision for the art calendar began at the District%s Advisory Committee
from our talented art leader, Mrs. Robin Russell in an effort to increase the
District%s communication with the student, staff and parent stakeholder
groups.# In addition, the masterpiece communication tool serves as a daily
reminder of the importance of the Art curriculum and the positive impact of
Art and student achievement.# It is certainly one of the District%s most
prized and valued artifacts.
Susan Redell, Director of Learning

23. ! The Art Calendar is
a wonderful way to
recognize students%
talents. It helped to
synchronize school
and district events.
The yearly calendar
highlights the art
teacher%s efforts and
builds pride in the
Fine Arts Program.
Rita Markgraf
Principal

24. Video Feedback

25. Staff Feedback
! !The calendar is something we as
a district can take pride in! It not
! !I think the
only showcases beautiful artwork, calendar itself is a
made by students in a creative
and nurturing environment, but piece of artwork!&
also highlights all the events that Linda Rompala
we host and are a part of School Secretary
throughout the school year. It is a
living document brought to
fruition by hard work and high
standards set by our art teacher
and district as a whole.&
Bridget Lahart
Special Education teacher
rrussell@medinah11.org