The PTO is a major proponent of supporting cultural arts and bringing cultural arts programs and exposure to VFES students. As such, we devote a significant portion of our efforts and fundraising to bringing cultural arts programs to our students.
In line with this mission, the VFES PTO collaborates with DELTA (Districts Educating and Learning Through the Arts) to sponsor cultural arts programs to enhance how our students experience arts and literature. Programs are selected with input from faculty and staff to compliment and enrich school curriculum and provide exposure to a range of artistic expression throughout your child’s years at VFES. Please help by supporting VFES PTO through direct donations, participation in fundraisers, or donating your time!
Some of the previous Cultural Arts programs we have helped to bring to VFES:
2019-2020 Programs:
Cello Fury, November 11, 2019, Grades K-4
A rock powerhouse featuring three cellists and a drummer, Cello Fury‘s original music combines the emotive and symphonic sounds of the cello with driving rock beats to create a cinematic, progressive rock sound. www.cellofury.com
Authors Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson Visit VFES, October 29, 2019, Grades K-4
Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr are an author/illustrator, husband/wife creative duo. www.robbiandmatthew.com
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, October 11, 2019, Grade K
Carol Spacht returns as Mother Goose with her phonemic awareness program to share ageless tales with students. www.avisitwith.com.
2017-2018 Programs:
Alex & the Kaleidoscope, Oct 16: Grades K-4
Alex & the Kaleidoscope is an interactive music entertainment brand that encourages and inspires children to celebrate and learn through the power of songs, fun facts, and adventures to interesting places around the world. www.alexandthekaleidoscope.com
Author Gregory Mone Visits VFES, Oct 9: Grades K-4
Students will have the amazing opportunity to listen to novelist, science journalist, speaker and New York Times bestselling author, Gregory Mone! He is coming to us straight off a book tour with Bill Nye the Science Guy following the release of the second book in their Jack and the Geniuses series. Greg will sign books during his visit… if you don’t have any of his books yet, they are in stock locally at Children’s Book World, Main Point Books and Barnes & Noble (as well as available through Amazon). For more information on Greg, visit his website at www.gregorymone.com.
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
Oct 6: Grade K
Carol Spacht returns as Mother Goose with her phonemic awareness program to share ageless tales with students. www.avisitwith.com
2016-2017 Programs
Poetry Meets Percussion, Sept. 22: Grades K-4
Percussionist Josh Robinson and spoken word artist Jacob Winterstein will join us to create a dynamic and engaging exploration of rhythm and poetry. With a heavy dose of audience involvement, these artists explore how rhythms and spoken word can awaken a student’s inner artist and inspire confidence. yanjep.org/artist/poetry-meets-percussion/
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, Oct. 7: Grade K
Carol Spacht returns as Mother Goose with her phonemic awareness program to share ageless tales with students. www.avisitwith.com
ComedySportz Philadelphia, Nov. 7: Grades K-4
ComedySports will join us to compete in an improv comedy match featuring two teams of players and a referee. The fans will judge the games and decide the winners! www.comedysportzphilly.com
Betsy Ross, Jan. 5: Grade 3
Carol Spacht returns as Betsy Ross to tell the story of the American flag. www.avisitwith.com
Chinese Round Robin, Jan. 19: Grade 2
The second grade will spend the morning rotating through “stations” to learn about Chinese culture, enjoying lessons on paper cutting, calligraphy, karate, shadow puppets, and Chinese New Year.
Kit’s Interactive Theater, Jan 26: Grade 4
Students will learn about powerful events sparking the War for Independence. www.kitsinteractivetheatre.com
Philadelphia Zoo, Feb 24: Grade 1
Representatives from the Zoo and animal friends return this winter for 1 grade’s rainforest study to teach about the “remarkable rainforest animals” up close and personal.
Almanac Dance Circus Theater, Mar. 13: Grades K-4
The Almanac joins us with acrobatics and theater to show the entire school that we can do amazing things when we work together.
Thomas Jefferson Visits 4th Grade, Mar. 28: Grade 4
Impersonator, historian and motivational speaker Steve Edenbo will return to visit 4th grade as Thomas Jefferson and give a dynamic portrayal of Jefferson’s leadership and vision. www.yourthomasjefferson.com
Bee Program Assembly, May: Grade 3