Old Bridge Elementary Hosts "A Night for the Arts"

At on May 12 they held "A Night of the Arts." In its third year, this event showcased various art projects created by students throughout the year. It also was an opportunity for parents to hear performances by the fifth grade choir and fourth grade recorders.

Music teacher, Laura Corombos, explained that the recorder students just started playing in January. At Old Bridge, "we use a program called Recorder Karate,"  said Corombos.

Students take belt tests, much like the ones taken in martial arts training. Passing the belt test moves  students to a new level of music instruction. They also move on to more challenging pieces of music. In only six months "students have come a long way," said Corombos.

Children who attended the program were invited to participate in an art scavenger hunt. Like a cross between "I Spy" and "Where's Waldo," the hunt took children outside the doors  of the auditorium to examine the artwork displayed in the hallways.

Art teacher Kelly Lewis said the hunt, " makes children really focus on the details of the art work."  That is the only way they can find the answers to the scavenger hunt questions, which centered around discovering specific details, and finding objects or information in each piece of work.

There were also several Robert Wyland posters in the hallway as part of a traveling display. The artists mission is to raise appreciation for the ocean and its inhabitants. These works were part of the hunt as well.

Another cool aspect of this night was the large number of free "make and take" art activities that were available for kids to do. There was a tube sculpture building activity, pictures to color, paper flower making,  and castle making, to name a few.

 Parents were also able to pick up products displaying their child's art work that was previously ordered though a fund raising program called "Art to Remember.