Visual and Performing Arts

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colorful lion painting — Taking center stage with visual and performing arts

The San Diego County Office of Education supports school districts in designing and implementing comprehensive, standards-based arts education programs for students in preschool through high school. Programs feature dance, media arts, music, theatre, and the visual arts.

stay informed

Learn about visual and performing arts updates and opportunities by reading Arts in Action!

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Twitter Chat

#CaArtsEdChat

Join @PCrooks_VAPA and arts education experts from across the state for a Twitter Chat every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m.

arts standards and framework

Visit the California Department of Education's website for up to date information about state arts standards and the TK-12 arts framework.

View California Arts Standards

View California Arts Framework

Integrate the Arts in Your classroom

Explore local arts organizations and how their programs can enhance student learning in the classroom, in-person or virtually, or with field trip opportunities.

AERO Directory

More to Explore

Professional Learning Opportunities

The arts matter, and this annual gathering was a reminder of the important role each of us play in our school systems and our students’ current and future well-being. If you missed the conference and are still interested in learning about effective, relevant, and engaging student learning practices, you can register for access to the virtual session recordings.

Amp Up the Arts and Math in STEAM

The connection between math and each of the arts disciplines goes beyond the practical nature of computation to the core of what is truly beautiful about math and the arts.

We have designed lessons that integrate the different artistic processes in the new CA Arts Standards to enhance and enrich the study of mathematics PK-12. We will experience a lesson together and explore how you can continue the work of integrating math and the arts so that they share the leading role in your lessons.

Virtual sessions are available upon request.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

Arts Leaders Collaboration

It’s time for arts education leaders in San Diego County Schools and districts to reconnect! Please join our community for a time of celebration, reflection, and community building. This session is open to arts education leaders who are school site and school district employees in San Diego County. Capacity is limited, so please register today.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

Discipline-Specific CA Arts Ed Framework

Designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to deepen their understanding of the California Arts Education Framework and explore strategies for implementation within specific disciplines of Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and/or Media Arts.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

Introduction to Arts Integration

Build awareness of how arts integration using theatre strategies can activate your curriculum in any content area. This online, asynchronous course developed by La Jolla Playhouse will guide educators through a deep understanding of the value of standards-based arts integration, how to develop an ensemble mindset in the classroom, assessment through the arts, and ways to connect community arts organizations to schools. The course includes example lesson plans, teacher testimony, and resources to guide arts integration into a standards-based curriculum.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

Intro to the California Arts Ed Framework

Designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to build their initial understanding of the California Arts Education Framework and explore strategies for implementation.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

Intro to the California Arts Standards

Designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to build their initial understanding of the California Arts Standards for Public Schools and explore strategies for implementation.

Please email pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net for more information.

#CaArtsEdChat Twitter Chat: Details and Questions

Join @PCrooks_VAPA and arts education experts from across the state for a Twitter Chat every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. We are growing a statewide virtual professional learning community for educators, artists, and others passionate about arts education. Let’s chat about the new state arts standards, framework, and instructional materials, best practices, and the great things happening in your classes.

How to Join

Go to Twitter
Search #CaArtsEdChat
Click the blue Tweet button in the top right (or the blue quill in the bottom right on your phone)
Start chatting!

How It Works

The chat facilitator will ask question 1 at 4:01 p.m., question 2 at 4:08 p.m., question 3 at 4:16 p.m. and question 4 at 4:23 p.m. (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) to get the conversation started.
Anyone can answer using the #CaArtsEdChat; start your tweet with A1, A2, A3, or A4 so everyone knows which question you are answering.
Like someone else's answer? Let them know with a like or a reply.
The facilitator will be retweeting and answering follow-up questions from participants.
Don't be afraid to join in!

Twitter Chat Questions

March 15, 2023

Q1: Hi there and welcome to the #CaArtsEdChat. Introduce yourself by sharing a photo of an arts event you engaged with recently #ArtsinEducationMonth

Q2: How have you been celebrating #ArtsinEducationMonth? Share a story and an image. #CaArtsEdChat

Q3: The Dali Lama said “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Share a story of kindness from your week. Include an image if you’d like. #CaArtsEdChat #SELWeek @caselorg

Q4: Blaise Pascal said “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” Share some kind words here today. #CaArtsEdChat

View previous chats on Twitter using #CaArtsEdChat in the search.

Units of Study

The San Diego County Office of Education Curriculum and Instruction, MEGA, and Innovation Departments have collaborated to design distance learning Units of Study in grades K-12 that are focused on grade level essential learnings in each content area. These units were purposefully designed to integrate content, provide flexibility and choice. The units of study connect content in the following areas: ELA, ELD, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science, Arts, Computer Science, and Physical Education through integrated study in K-5 and thematic units in grades 6 through high school. Assessment opportunities (formative and summative) and student feedback are embedded and intentionally developed. These open-source units are being developed in Google to ensure maximum flexibility for districts to use them with their preferred distance learning instructional platform.

Professional Arts Education Associations

Visual and Performing Arts is supported by a number of local, state, and national organizations. They offer teachers and students a number of learning opportunities as well as quality resources.

Arts Education Organizations

Visual and Performing Arts is supported by a number of local, state, and national organizations. They offer teachers and students a number of learning opportunities as well as quality resources.

County Organizations

Arts Empower San Diego — A partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education and a coalition of nonprofit arts education organizations and school districts to champion arts education in San Diego schools.
Arts Education Resource Organization (AERO) - AERO is a collective of arts organizations and artists dedicated to working together to build bridges between schools and the arts community.
Southern Counties California Arts Project (regional site office of The California Arts Project)
Southern Counties California Arts Project

State Organizations

California Department of Education (CDE) Visual and Performing Arts
The California Arts Project (TCAP) — Statewide network of classroom teachers and university scholars with the mission of improving teaching and learning in all arts disciplines
California County Superintendents
California Arts Council (CAC)

National Organizations

Visual and Performing Arts Standards and Resources

Standards

California Arts Standards is the primary set of curriculum standards for arts education in California.
California Arts Education Framework
National Core Arts Standards is a useful resource that was released in June 2014.
Common Core Literacy Standards in the Technical Subjects is an overlay set of literacy standards that help inform arts instruction at the secondary level (begins on page 79).
California Department of Education, English Language Development Standards — corresponding set of standards to inform teacher practice in making clear the relationships between the English language and the student's other language(s).

Arts Education Resources

CA Arts, Media Entertainment Demonstration Schools
CCSESA Arts Initiative
Kennedy Center Arts Edge
Junior High Band
STEM / STEAM quality criteria guide for Quality STEM / STEAM in San Diego (SDQC) was created to support the growing number of K-12 STEM / STEAM schools and programs as they implement integrated STEM / STEAM learning experiences in all K-12 classroom

Culturally Responsive Arts Resources

Research, Policy, and Toolkits

Arts Magnet Schools

Cajon Valley Union School District

Flying Hills/F.A.M.E (K-6)
Michael Kuhfal, Principal
619-588-3132

Coronado Unified School District

Coronado School of the Arts (9-12)
Shane Schmeichel, Principal
Tiffany Bouchard, Assistant Principal & Director of CoSA
619-522-4050

Lakeside Union School District

Lakeside Middle School (6-8)
Steve Mull, Principal
619-390-2636

La Mesa-Spring Valley

La Mesa Arts Academy
Beth Thomas, Principal
619-668-5730

San Diego Unified School District

Crown Point Jr. Music Academy (K-5)
Armando Lopez, Principal
858-273-9830

San Diego Unified School District

Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle (6-8)
Scott Thomason, Principal
Jennifer Rohrbacher, Magnet Coordinator
858-800-5550

San Diego Unified School District

Freese Cultural Arts Magnet
Shannon Bussey, Principal
619-344-3100

San Diego Unified School District

Oak Park Music Conservatory (K-5)
Reashon L. Villery, Principal
619-344-5000

San Diego Unified School District

San Diego – School of Creative and Performing Arts (6-12)
Timothy Farson
Principal
858-988-2500

San Diego Unified School District

Sequoia Elementary
Ryan Kissel, Principal
858-496-8240

San Diego Unified School District

Zamorano Elementary Fine Arts Academy (K-5)
Derek Murchison, Principal
619-430-1400

San Dieguito Union High School District

Canyon Crest Academy
Brett Killeen, Principal
858-350-0253

South Bay Union School District

Mendoza School
Garrett Corduan, Principal
619-424-0100

Sweetwater Union High School District

Chula Vista High School (9-12)
Mary Rose Peralta, Principal
Debbie Nevin, Arts Facilitator
619-476-3300

Sweetwater Union High School District

Chula Vista Middle School (6-8)
Viky Mitrovich, Principal
Debbie Nevin, Arts Facilitator
619-498-6800

Vista Unified School District

Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (K-5)
Benjie Walker, Principal
760-941-0880

Arts in Action 2021-22 Newsletter

main contacts

Pauline Crooks

Coordinator, Instr & Curr Cont

Linda Vista Campus

School: 858-295-8881

Libia Gonzalez

Administrative Assistant I

Linda Vista Campus

School: 858-298-2176