JPAS Cultural Crossroads Selected for Microsoft's US Innovations in Ed Forum

Recently, Jefferson Performing Arts Society's (JPAS) Cultural Crossroads program under the direction of Karel Sloane-Boekbinder was selected for inclusion in the 2011 US Innovative Education Forum (IEF) Presented by Microsoft's Partners in Learning. This forum recognizes innovative educators and innovative schools implementing 21-Century skills in the classroom and the school community with the goal of improving teaching and learning. The Innovative Education Forum seeks to showcase creative and inspiring examples of how educators and schools are using technology. Microsoft chose Karel Sloane-Boekbinder's JPAS Cultural Crossroads' residency "Abstract Expression and the Science of Plant Cells" at C.F. Rowley Alternative in St. Bernard Parish as an outstanding example of integrating technology in the classroom in an engaging and extraordinary way.

Using abstract expressionism, SMART boards, the work of Joan Mitchell and Microsoft PowerPoint, C. F. Rowley students in the JPAS Cultural Crossroads program explored the Gulf oil disaster and its impact on our region's environment. Students examined the impact of the oil disaster on algae regionally and globally. They then used used art elements and principles and Microsoft technology to learn about plant cell biology and the biodiversity of the Gulf South region. Thirty students participated in this residency under Boekbinder's guidance, utilizing Microsoft software to explore and present their classroom lessons.

C. F. Rowley Alternative (formerly NOVA Academy - New Opportunities and Values for Achievements,) is an alternative school for students who have been removed from their district school by an expulsion process, court order, or Special Education Individual Education Plan (IEP) decision. It was formed to provide a safe and secure environment where students have the opportunity to develop and maintain the academic, behavioral, and social skills required to be a productive and successful member of society. 1999, C. F. Rowley Alternative began working with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society's Cultural Crossroads program to integrate art and cultural experiences into core curriculum with the goal of improving student behavior and achievement.

The 2011 US Innovative Education Forum will be held in Redmond, Washington July 28-29 where projects and educators like Boekbinder and JPAS Cultural Crossroads will be highlighted. The theme this year is Engaging students. Inspiring creativity. Preparing for the future. It focuses on how educators and schools engage students to solve difficult problems while inspiring creativity and, ultimately, preparing students for the future.

MORE ABOUT JPAS CULTURAL CROSSROADS
Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) is proud to provide arts outreach programming like Cultural Crossroads. Students participating in JPAS Cultural Crossroads are dealing with life situations that would be difficult to discuss let alone imagine. For many of students, poverty and abuse are most of what they know. The majority of the schools participating in Cultural Crossroads are for expelled students for those as young as 6 years old. JPAS Cultural Crossroads strives to show these students that there are other ways of doing things and treating people than what they may have learned. The program is called Cultural "Crossroads" because theses students are at a "crossroad" where they now they have the opportunity to learn AND choose a new and positive way of doing things versus negative and destructive behavior of the past. Cultural Crossroads achieves this by linking classroom teachers with resident artists to align classroom lessons through the arts as a positive outlet for expression and learning.

JPAS Cultural Crossroads is a residency-based program that incorporates arts-integrated instructional strategies. The primary goal of Cultural Crossroads is to use the arts to enhance student proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. To accomplish this, all Cultural Crossroads artists work in tandem with classroom teachers to co-create lessons. At the start of each residency, the artist and the classroom teacher work to co-create a residency that directly links the artistic discipline with the Grade Level Expectations at least 1 core academic subject. All artists Pre-test Post test their students to track changes in learning. Class total scores show increases between 20% to 80%.

More about the 2011 US Innovative Education Forum (IEF) Presented by Microsoft's Partners in Learning

Microsoft is committed to helping teachers tap into their potential and empowering them to cultivate strong leaders of the future. Microsoft Partners in Learning is a 10-year, nearly $500 million commitment by Microsoft to help education systems around the world. Since its inception in 2003, the Partners in Learning program has reached more than 196 million teachers and students in 114 countries. Partners in Learning helps teachers and school leaders connect, collaborate, create and share so students can realize their greatest potential. The online Partners in Learning Network is one of the world's largest global professional networks for educators, connecting millions of teachers and school leaders around the world in a community of professional development.

The Worldwide Innovative Education Forum is the signature program of Microsoft Partners in Learning, honoring innovative teachers and schools and showcasing how technology can further education transformation by being appropriately incorporated into curricula, pedagogy and classrooms.

More About the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS)
Founded in 1978 by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham, Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit professional arts organization whose mission is to promote arts performance, training and outreach by providing a diverse range of quality programs that entertain, educate and enrich the cultural and economic vitality of Jefferson Parish, Greater New Orleans and the Gulf South.

JPAS focuses on three main elements:
PERFORMANCE JPAS annually provides a wide range of theatrical performances that appeal to many interests and age groups. Most seasons include a selection of grand opera, musical theater, dance and music. JPAS strives to network and partner with national and international artists and companies to bring new and diverse programming to the Southern Region.

TRAINING JPAS provides performance and technical based training in the arts for all ages with a particular focus on young people.

OUTREACH JPAS provides arts education programming in local area schools, as well as access to professional theatrical experiences that align to classroom curricula and Louisiana Content Standards, including Arts Adventure Series, Cultural Crossroads and Stage Without A Theatre. JPAS provides performers, musicians, artistic experiences and expertise to select area events and organizations to enrich the community.

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