pembroke pines, fl – With spring right around the corner, one school in sunny South Florida will be excited to start on their new music project, thanks to the donations given this past week! Mrs. O’Sullivan, a fifth grade teacher at Pines Lakes Elementary School, had devised a music project concept that would incorporate arts, music, AND literature in order to give her students a well-rounded education.  We were so impressed by the integration of the core subjects, we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to help her out.  As advocates of S.T.E.M. to S.T.E.A.M. initiatives, this project really jumped out to us. “We will be exposed to some fresh new reading books and supplies that will be fun to use while learning some important things about our American History, which includes some neat art and music.  I love it when my students are excited about learning and having fun showing what they know.” These were the five (5) components of the project: Listening to music while viewing folktale art Understanding “quilt art” and music Designing their own “canjos” – banjos made from a recycled food cans Reading literature Utilizing new classroom arts supplies to personalize their instruments   Mrs. O’Sullivan explains, “We are in a low socio-economical school where students need stories, music, and movement to inspire them to be creative.  I know that when my students receive a shipment of supplies to our classroom they are going to jump for joy and be motivated to do the best they can.  The reading books, notebooks, and markers are a good way to get my students excited about our project. We will be exposed to some fresh new reading books and supplies that will be fun to use while learning some important things about our American History, which includes some neat art and music.  I love it when my students are excited about learning and having fun showing what they know.” After successfully funding the project, Mrs. O’Sullivan had a few more words to share :)dd – The reading books, notebooks, and markers are a good way to get my students excited about our project. We will be exposed to some fresh new reading books and supplies that will be fun to use while learning some important things about our American History, which includes some neat art and music.  I love it when my students are excited about learning and having fun showing what they know.” To help us fund more projects like these, please make a small donation today!  Just click here 🙂  

Most people who read this blog are wondering, “What will these people do with my donation?”  Let us take you to Miami, FL (about 35 miles south of our office) and we’ll take you to Blues Lakes Elementary School – almost 100 faculty and staff dedicated to not only providing a productive learning atmosphere and education, but also boasts an autism academy attributed to being the first “specialized choice school in Miami-Dade County.”  By the next academic school year, Blue  Lakes Elementary is anticipated to not only serve Pre-K and Kindergarten students, but also include 1st through 4th grade students.  When Mrs. Larsen, Blue Lakes’ Music teacher expressed a need to outfit the classroom with rhythm tools and instruments, Keeping The Blues Alive decided to join the campaign. Keeping The Blues Alive spoke to Mrs. Larsen on the phone before the donation was sent.   She expressed to us the concern that a music curriculum did not exist for this particular instrumental outlet at the school.  When she initiated the task of creating one, she knew she needed help to get the project started, and at the time the school was not in the financial state to assist her.  “Many of my students are autistic and love to communicate through rhythms they play on their bodies or their desk.  With instruments, they get a chance to hear different sounds and pitches each instrument has, along with feeling the different textures.  By bringing new instruments in to the classroom [the child gets an opportunity] to explore music in ways they can only imagine.  As always, we greatly appreciate anything you can do to help bring the world of music to any child in the school systems.” Upon making the donation, our friends at DonorsChoose.org verified the cost of the items in question, and released funding to Mrs. Larsen and her classroom a few days ago. Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, My students and I would like to express our gratitude for donating to our school for new music instruments. With these instruments many of my students cannot only express themselves through rhythm once again but they are able to show everyone around them just how creative they can be. Each instrument presents a unique opportunity to create something new for them. We are looking forward to the arrival of these instruments and once again with to express our gratitude to donors like you who support the arts in our schools.   With gratitude, Mrs. L We tried to reach out to her this morning, but she surely had her hands full, so we should expect an update in the near future!  And to Mrs. Larsen, we wish you all the best, and hope that you and your students continue to have fun learning and growing together in your new venture! If you would like to help us donate to another school such as this one, please take a moment to visit our Donation Page and help us revitalize and inspire music programs, their educators, and most importantly the students all over the country!