b'confident and determined to get ev- Learningtoperformaspartof Saint Rose of Lima Academy ery move right. Their collective preci- ateamisaskillsetthatknowsno sion and focus are, as Ms. Poe put it,bounds:Itbuildsconnectednessand A Catholic Approach to Exceptional Education nothingshortofmiraculous.Andcooperationwithoneanotherand while some students may have previ- withtheteacher.Thepositivesocial Pre-K through Grade 8 ously seen a performance of stepping,emotional benefit of being a contribut-many may have been unaware of theing member of a successful team effort rich history and African roots of thisis limitless. Moreover, these skills are Looking for a Faith Based dance form. Origin stories of steppingtransferable to a much wider range of are varied, but it is clear that steppingotherextracurricularandeducational Catholic School? is a central part of African Americanactivities.surprise,then,thatthe Greeklife,particularlyathis- No Blue Ribbon School of Excellence torically Black colleges andPTAsthirdapplicationto Nurturing environment that seeks to developuniversities(HBCUs)Itscontinue teaching step-the full potential of all its students andhighschools.hard to resistping has been grant-Infact,Columbiaed, and with several A caring, qualified, and dedicated teachingHigh Schools In- the power of thoseenhancementsin staff finite Step Teamthuds and stomps andthemix.Inthe A 150-year commitment to providing the competes in theclaps when they are all2022-23school attention and guidance necessary for HighSchoolstepping together. In myyear,SethBoy-students to grow academically, spiritually,StepDivision,experience, once stu- den fourth grad-andhaspar- dents get a taste of whaterswillbethe and socially ticipated at a na- unity sounds like, theyrecipients of the tional level. usually want more first year of a new Asimportantof it! three-yeargrant COME VISIT AN OPEN HOUSE! as the physicality ofintendedtocreate steppingis,thedeeplongtermsustainabil-Thursday, November 10 meaningbehindthisar- ity for the teaching of the Friday, November 11 tisticexpressionisanaspectchosen art form. Additionally, teachers think is no less essential. Astherewillbeamentorshipprogram 10:00 - 11:30 AM Ms. Connell explains, I love the cul- in which students who have stepping (Please R.S.V.P. at info@srlacademy.org) tural history and connections. Manyexperience will share their knowledge ofourSethBoydenstudentshavewithyoungerstudentsatrecess;an FULL DAY PRE-SCHOOL AVAILABLE familymembersthathaveattendedafter-schoolSethBoydenStepping HBCUs and/or belong to the fraterni- Club will be taught by Columbia High ties and sororities, and they are proudSchool Infinite Step Team members.tosharewhattheyknow.Ms.LyleWhile the past couple of years have agrees, stating that I have found thatposed formidable challenges for educa-being as honest as possible about thetion, Seth Boydens stepping program racial context that gave way to step- makesonethingclear:Parentsand ping is important in teaching childreneducators can make magic happen by aboutthehistoryofthedance.Thejoining together to ensure that diverse, historyofstepisextensiveandsoIculturalexperiencesarepartofthe generally focus on two components aseducationalcurriculum.And,ifyou entry points: African American frater- happen to be strolling down the halls nities and sororities and their role inof Seth Boyden, listen carefully for the creating step in the United States, andstomps and claps of little hands and stepsrelationshiptoSouthAfricanfeet, and know that art, in all its forms, Gumboot dance. not only spurs creativity but inspires And while practicing stepping, andlearning. learning about the cultural aspect of theTamiStecklerhasaself-acknowledged art, students also benefit from workingcomplete lack of rhythm but can often be together towards a common goal. Ms.found sitting safely on her couch watch-Saint Rose of Lima Academy Lyle tries to always keep them moving.ing dance reality shows.52 Short Hills Avenue, Short Hills She states, Its hard to resist the powerThe Artists in Education Residency Grant Program is a of those thuds and stomps and clapsco-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the 973-379-3973 whentheyareallsteppingtogether.Arts and Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA. The program is carried out in partnership with region-www.srlacademy.org Inmyexperience,oncestudentsgetal partners, including Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus, a taste of what unity sounds like, theyCount Basie Center for the Arts, and Morris Arts.usually want more of it!30/ matters magazine / school 2022'