The Role of Arts in Student Development
In the past few weeks, I have had the joy of seeing Rise of Robin Hood, the middle school play, and Rockapella, performed by Haldane’s high school students. As usual, Haldane students shined! I was so impressed by the talent, confidence, teamwork, and joy on display. These performances were about much more than entertainment. They reflected the countless hours of work, collaboration, vulnerability, and trust that help students grow into themselves.
What stood out most was how clearly the arts create a home for every type of student at Haldane. Some students shine in the spotlight, while others thrive behind the scenes running lights, building sets, managing sound, or helping everything come together quietly and expertly. The arts make space for all of it. They remind students that there are many ways to contribute and many ways to belong.
That same spirit is visible throughout our community. Right now, student artwork brightens the windows of Foodtown, bringing creativity into the center of everyday life. Poetry Month has been celebrated beautifully through Split Rock Books, where young voices and local artists are given room to be heard. And on the evening of May 19th - the very same day as the school board election and budget vote - the district’s art show will offer another opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of Haldane students.
It feels especially fitting that on the same day we vote on the future of our schools, we also get to witness one of the clearest examples of what makes Haldane so special.
It is easy, especially during budget conversations, to talk about the arts as though they are an “extra” - something nice to have once the “real” priorities are covered. But anyone who has spent time in a school community knows that music, theater, visual arts, and creative spaces are not extras at all. They are central to how many students find confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Not every child finds their place through athletics or traditional academics. For some students, it is the stage. For others, it is chorus, band, painting, set design, photography, creative writing, or simply having a place where self-expression feels valued. The arts create room for students to be seen in ways that grades and test scores often cannot capture.
Arts education teaches persistence, collaboration, discipline, and risk-taking. It builds confidence in students who may struggle to find it elsewhere. It fosters empathy, creativity, and problem-solving. It gives students a reason to come to school and a way to feel known once they are there.
As a parent, I have seen how much these experiences matter. As someone running for school board, I believe protecting and strengthening the arts must remain part of how we think about student success. Academic excellence and artistic opportunity are not competing values - they are deeply connected.
The best schools do not simply prepare students to perform well on tests. They help students discover who they are, what they love, and where they belong. At Haldane, the arts help make that possible.
