2019 Art Soup Program Connects Grand Erie Students with Local Arts and Secondary Schools

Grand Erie District School Board’s Art Soup program aims to expose junior students to a range of artistic disciplines, with a recipe for success that includes connecting them to working artists in visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.

Junior students in Grades 4-6 will participate in Art Soup next week (Thursday, January 31 and Friday, February 1). Local artists present the lessons and activities and each day concludes with a talent showcase where students highlight what they’ve created or learned.

“While there’s an emphasis right now on math and technology, we know participation in the arts also helps student achievement in many ways,” said Randy Ongena, Chair of the Art Soup committee and Vice Principal at River Heights School. “By partnering with professional artists, students are able to learn, have fun and discover new career paths.”

Scheduled on secondary school turnaround days, which follow exams, Art Soup also aims to increase junior students comfort with and connections to Grand Erie secondary schools. Art Soup gives each student an opportunity to visit a secondary school in order to familiarize themselves with the building as well as the facilities offered within.

Art Soup ties directly to Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan and its goal of Success for Every Student. The event meets the Achievement indicator goal of “increasing student understanding of effective learning strategies and how to use them,” as well as the Community indicator goal of “celebrating the partners whose contributions enhance the experiences of our students.”

Art Soup begins daily at 9:45 a.m., with the talent showcase set for 1:30 p.m. each afternoon.

Thursday, January 31 – Art Soup Schedule:

• Host: Delhi District Secondary School (393 James Street in Delhi)
  • Participating Elementary Schools:
    • Boston Public School
    • Courtland Public School
    • Delhi Public School
    • Teeterville Public School

• Host: Paris District High School (231 Grand River Street North in Paris)
  • Participating Elementary Schools:
    • Glen Morris Central Public School
    • Oakland-Scotland Public School
    • Paris Central Public School
    • North Ward School

Friday, February 1 – Art Soup Schedule:

• Host: Hagersville Secondary School (70 Parkview Road in Hagersville)
  • Participating Elementary Schools:
    • Hagersville Elementary School
    • Jarvis Public School
    • River Heights School
    • Walpole North Elementary School

• Host: Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School (627 Colborne Street in Brantford)
  • Participating Elementary Schools:
    • Echo Place School
    • King George School
    • Major Ballachey Public School
    • Woodman-Cainsville School