Isaac Dickson Elementary PTO, Inc.

What does culture feel like? 

Many of our school's children, especially those in poverty, don't get the individual opportunity to express themselves, to let their bodies and minds be active, to physically, emotionally, intellectually and musically explore the cultures to which they most relate.

STREET BEAT! is an idea to use tubano drums as cultural exploration, musical expression, community development and physical fitness tools!  By using culturally appropriate music and aerobic activities combined, our K-5 students will be learning, growing, and achieving something unique and powerful, while having a ton of fun.   The music selections used to teach students in public schools music rooms is too often outdated and unrelatable, especially to our urban youth.  STREET BEAT! is intended to use music that students will find relevant, exciting, and interesting to learn from, while using jumps, stretches, kicks, and beats to get their bodies moving.  

We will have four unique coaches, bringing their own viewpoints and experiences to the project.  Our Music Teacher knows drumming and instrumental instruction, the PE teacher knows physical movement and exercise, our Classroom Teacher knows spoken word and cultural studies, and our  Spanish Teacher knows Latin rhythms and language.  What a TEAM EFFORT!   

Of course, we'd like to get the STREET BEAT! program up off the ground (or up off our seats!) as soon as we can.  As funds arrive, we will continue to build our tubano drum supply to accommodate an average class size of 25 students, with a few drums available for classroom assistants, teachers, parents, or even the principal to join us!   

We know that we all have strong memories of the music that meant the most to us when we were young.   Students today have endless online access to music, but little way to express it themselves.  Imagine how these children's experience of music will change as they all individually contribute to a community of drumming, founded in the beats and sounds they know, and while still having a great time and getting their wiggles out!   

Please consider donating to this opportunity.  You will be reaching over 500 students with your generosity.  

Believe me, these students are worth the value!