Community School of the Arts adds classes for children with disabilities
(Posted Aug. 20, 2019)
The Community School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University spans all age groups and skill levels, and the offerings continue to grow.
This semester’s offerings start Sept. 9, and the school is adding two dance classes – named Expressions Through Dance – that will embrace a learning environment for children with disabilities.
The class – led by APSU dance major Alexandria Heide – will use patterns, rhythms and small dances to enhance the students’ creativity, imagination and motor and socialization skills.
“When Alexandria approached me with the idea for this class, I knew it would be something really special,” said Dr. Janice Crews, director of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, which manages the school.
Crews approached APSU Disability Services Director Jamie McCrary and Eriksson College of Education’s Dr. Lori Morris – who specializes in special education – for help designing the classes.
Primarily, the classes will be small and have a small instructor-to-student ratio, one or two students per instructor. APSU special education students will help Heide teach the class. The classes will be in the Memorial Health Building’s large Dance Studio A on campus.
One class will cater to children ages 4-8 and is 10-10:45 a.m. on Saturdays, and the other class will be for those ages 9-15 from 11-11:45 a.m. Saturdays. Both run eight weeks, starting Sept. 14, and are $100.
“It was important to get input from all of the right people on campus so that we could do this class the right way and adequately meet the needs of our community,” Crews said. “We’re trying to make it as easy for our students as possible.”
AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Heide approached Crews about the class earlier this year after her roommate – who is studying special education – inspired her.
“I am so excited to be a part of something so impactful to our community,” Heide said. “Every child deserves different opportunities that promotes positivity and beneficial learning.”
Crews added: “The more I talked to Jamie, the more I talked to Lori, I realized there isn’t really anything like this offered in the community. We’re trying to meet the needs of the community.”
McCrary added: “These classes will make an impact to the community, and I see them going a long way.”
NEW CLASSES, OLD FAVORITES
Also new this semester is “The Short Film,” during which students, ages 14 or older, will learn to film and edit video using a smartphone app. The class is taught by filmmaker Dillon Ward of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
“The Short Film” runs eight weeks – 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays – starting Sept. 10 and costs $120.
Returning classes include:
- DANCE: Intermediate ballet, intermediate jazz.
- MUSIC: Ukulele, guitar.
- ART: Art for Children, Art for Teens, drawing, mixed-media painting, digital SLR photography.
- CREATIVE WRITING: Writing for Military and Families.
Fees vary for the different classes, and daytime/homeschool classes are offered. A complete list of the programs and costs is available online at www.apsu.edu/ceca/csa. For more information, contact the CSA at 931-221-7876 or by e-mail at csa@apsu.edu.
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