"The Fourth "R""

One of the main selling points for the construction of the Carson Four Rivers Center was the educational benefit it could bring to the region's school children, which the Center is now providing through its "Class Acts" educational series.

Carson Center CEO Brian Lazcko cited statists from numerous studies and scholars, which have repeatedly proven the importance of arts education in a child's development and educational achievement. Music, in particular has the power the raise student math scores. The visual and performing arts play an essential role in learning to read, to write and do math, making the arts "the fourth 'R."

Lazcko said the state of California, where public schools had previously led the pack nationally, cut funding for the arts in education only to see the state's students drop into the bottom five in national tests. SAT scores have been shown to improve dramatically among students who have studied music, or even just listened to classical music prior to testing. One study showed every public school student with at least 4 years of arts education scored a total of 101 points better on the SAT than students who did not.

"The conductor's baton may very well be the magic wand" that can be waved to produce better schools and students, he said.

Fortunately, the Market House Theatre, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, the Yeiser Art Center and the Musuem of the American Quilters Society, join the Carson Center in providing various classes, performances and educational experiences for area students, but they all need public support from the community to keep these wonderful programs going.

More than 20 thousand students attend performances at the Center each year, which is hosting 19 productions, seven workshops and one week-long summer residency during the 2008-09 season.

For more information on Class Acts call the Carson Center at 443-9932 or visit www.carsoncenter.org.

 

 

Message from President John & Membership Development Chair Glen Anderson:

While enjoying your holidays, please intentionally consider inviting a new member to the Rotary Club of Paducah. The excitement of our new venue is contagious; we have a great opportunity to grow our club. Location, Location, Location!

Rotary encourages us to use our talent, spirit, energy and resources in the spirit of service to create a better world. We have a great organization, whose members care about our local community and our international community. Invite someone to join us next year!