McGuinty Government Boosts Arts Education
Students in Kingston Will Benefit From New Investments In Musical Instruments And Art Supplies

KINGSTON — Grade 1—12 students in Kingston will benefit from new arts education resources and professional development for teachers, thanks to nearly $137,130 in provincial funding, announced MPP John Gerretsen on behalf of Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne.

“Today’s announcement is great news for the Kingston community’s youngest and brightest artisans,” said Gerretsen. “The creativity, imagination, and originality fostered through arts education in Kingston schools are among the most important resources our students will need for personal and economic success in their futures.”

The breakdown for the Kingston area is as follows:

• Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board $28,129
• Limestone District School Board $49,621
• CSD catholique du Centre-Est de l’Ontario $33,432
• CSD des ecoles publique de l’Est de I’Ontario $25,948

Public school boards across Ontario will receive more than $4 million to buy musical instruments, art supplies and other resources to support dance, drama, music and media arts in elementary and high schools. In addition, arts education associations and community organizations will share almost $800,000 to develop resources and host artists, performances and workshops in schools.

“Arts education is critical to our kids’ intellectual, physical and emotional growth,” said Wynne. “By studying dance, drama, media arts, music and visual arts, students learn to think more creatively and critically, and further develop the ability to work with others.”

The investment is part of the McGuinty government's commitment to improving Ontario’s public education system. Students are already benefitting from government initiatives intended to help more students succeed, including:

• Providing a more well-rounded education, with funding to hire 1,600 elementary specialist teachers in areas such as music, the arts, as well as phys-ed
• Providing every school in the province with more textbooks, learning resources and library books with funding of $535 million
• Funding to hire 3,600 teachers to reduce the number of students in JK to Grade 3 classes to a maximum of 20 students in 90 per cent of classes
• Transforming the Ontario high school experience with six innovative programs to keep kids learning until age 18, including Grade 8-9 transition teams, expanded co-op education and specialist high skills majors that allow students to focus on the career path that matches their unique skills and interests
• Introducing character building initiatives in schools to inspire students to become caring and contributing citizens.
  

-30-

For more information contact:
John Gerretsen, MPP
(613) 547-2385