Foundation Middle School Celebrates National Charter School Week with Artist Pierre H. Matisse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 13, 2004
Contact: Linda Spagnoli
Director of Communications
772-971-4816
ljs(at)codeamber.org

Kissimmee, FL - Is there a connection between an intense art program and higher test scores? Foundation Middle School art teacher, Sandy Beatty thinks so. "On the Florida Writes portion of the FCAT, which is given to 8th graders, our school tied for second in the county. First was the Osceola Center for the Arts. That speaks volumes about a good art curriculum." Foundation's students receive between 4 to 6 hours of art a week. (Most students in elementary school only get 10 to 15, 45 minute art classes per year, even less in middle schools.

Foundation Middle School is a charter school that is managed by Chancellor Beacon Academies. The school is funded by local, state and federal money. Charter schools are considered public schools and they are free.

On Wednesday, May 5, about 175 middle school (grades 5-8) students participated in an art program presented by Gallery Pierre H. Matisse, with Pierre himself attending and working with the children. A long-time supporter of arts education in Florida schools, Pierre is excited about this program. "Art is life!" he says. "This is when imagination and creativity blossom. I love to watch their ideas develop before their eyes. The best part about being an artist is passing down technique and experience to the next generation. Unless you see it, you can't feel the excitement." For additional coverage of this event please read the Orlando Sentinal article.

Pierre H. Matisse, grandson of Henri Matisse, lives in Ormond Beach and at 76, continues to paint most every day. Pierre recently created the 2004 Code Amber Poster to raise funds for codeamber.org, the Web's Amber Alert System which helps to recover abducted children. He and his wife Jeanne have contributed countless hours and resources in a never ending battle to preserve art programs in Florida schools. He designs these art programs in an effort to maintain a high level of interest in children who may soon see art disappear from the curriculum. Asked about the higher test scores, Pierre was not surprised. "Of course, it makes sense. Art develops hand - eye coordination, as well as left brain - right brain communication. It's another pathway for information processing." Mr. Matisse's Code Amber posters are available for purchase at Code Amber. Mr. Matisse has graciously donated the proceeds to further the Code Amber project and educational programs.

But on Wednesday, it was just Pierre and the kids, and art.

About Code Amber: Code Amber LLC is a Louisiana Company that operates as a public service fully supported by its parent company, BigHits.com, Inc. in addition to corporate and private contributions. It delivers Amber Alert notification over various platforms to media, law enforcement and the public at no cost. Founded in 2002, as a means to enhance the flow of information during an Amber Alert, Code Amber is now the premiere reporting entity to the Internet community, consistently appearing at the top of the major search engines.