It is with sincere gratitude that, as program director for the dance program for the elementary schools in the district, I accept this generous grant from the Mercer Island Community Fund. This funding will supplement a dance education in the curriculums of the physical education and music programs at Island Park, Lakeridge and West Mercer Elementary Schools.

With this funding, each school will hire highly skilled professional dance educators throughout the 2008-09 school year to meet state standards in P.E. and music. This will also help students meet the high standards of this school district and set them for a path of creative thinking and goal-setting in the future world.

The dance program is supported by the Mercer Island School District through funding from each school’s PTA and the MISD Fine Arts Committee. The Mercer Island Community Fund has joined in this effort to help all elementary school students understand and demonstrate the fine art of dance in the school’s musicals, in health and fitness programs and the annual Fine Arts Showcase at Mercer Island High School.

Jesse Jaramillo, NBCT

Island Park P.E. and Music Specialist

Dance Program Director

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