Archive: Around Town

Caroline Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in the Ithaca City School District, Ithaca, NY with a total student enrollment of approximately 315.  When the school year began, they were faced with a special need in the Music Program.  For the first time, the school has a student enrolled in the Band Program who is blind.  The CVS Caremark Grant has allowed the school to purchase Braille translation software to change standard print music into Braille format and also to purchase teacher and student instructional materials to allow the band director, a sighted teacher, to learn about, and to learn how to teach students to read Braille music.

Additional funding and/or support has been received from the District Music Department, the Caroline Building Principal and Office Staff, the District Special Education Staff, the Library and Technology Staff and TST BOCES.  Having the capability to translate music into Braille format and the knowledge of how to teach students how to read the music will allow for current and future students to practice and prepare music independently and at their own pace both during and outside of the music lesson.  With the current budget cuts being faced by public schools, the CVS grant was able to provide the school with a large portion of the funding to cover the cost of implementing this program.

Students who read Braille music must actually read it in small pieces, memorize it and then play it back.  This is very different than for sighted students who can read and play simultaneously.  Having students perform side by side in the band will help create an awareness of different learning styles.  By fully including students with visual impairments in our music programs, persons with other disabilities may be more encouraged to seek inclusion in the program and in others in which they might not do otherwise.  “I am very excited to be able to offer our student who is blind the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of our Band Program,” said Caroline Band Director, Cindy Daly, Grant Applicant.

“CVS Caremark Community Grants are an effective way for us to contribute to the success of communities where we do business,” said Jennifer Veilleux, Director of CVS Caremark Corporation.  “We are proud to support the work that the Caroline Elementary Music Department does in the community.”

The CVS Caremark Community Grant to the Caroline Elementary Music Department is part of CVS Caremark’s commitment to its communities throughout the country.  The Caroline Elementary Music Department was selected to receive a grant through the CVS Caremark Community Grants 2010 Grant Application process.  Grants were awarded to organizations that share a common vision with CVS Caremark's All Kids Can program, which strives to make life easier for children with disabilities.  The goal of the program is to create more inclusive environments for children with and without disabilities to build self-esteem, lasting friendships and social skills, and to help children without disabilities learn diversity and tolerance.

“CVS Caremark is committed to helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life,” said Dale Etzel, District Manager, Binghamton, CVS/Pharmacy.  “Through this grant, we are proud to be able to help make an impact on the lives of children in the Ithaca Community.”

This grant is helping Caroline Elementary School to support the strong focus on the goal to eliminate race, class and disability as predictors of academic performance, co-curricular participation and discipline in the Ithaca City School District.

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