This week as we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, there is excitement in the air for elementary students across the division as they pick up their instruments for the very first time. This milestone for these students reminds us of the program's evolution and its impact on so many lives over the last 57 years.

The elementary strings program began in 1967 with three teachers each responsible for seven schools. Fast forward to 2011, T. Clay Wood and Piney Branch Elementary Schools became the first schools to have dedicated strings classrooms at the elementary school level. This trend continued, with new schools being built with specific spaces for the strings program, ensuring that students had the resources they needed to succeed. Today, the elementary strings program is available for all fifth-grade students at all elementary schools and even includes fourth graders at some schools.

Dr. Keith Wright, elementary strings teacher at Featherstone, Montclair, and Swans Creek Elementary Schools, shares his passion for the program and the importance of beginning strings at the elementary level. “Starting strings at the elementary level promotes the three dimensions of a well-formed structure for students independent cognitive thinking. I encourage self-discipline, effective operations, and leadership. A job well done is its own reward. Performances are the product of well-formed daily practice. This promotes the students process into forming themselves as independent cognitive thinkers, and the basis for successful future studies and future careers.”

The elementary strings program in PWCS has proven to be a valuable asset for students and the community by serving as a significant motivator for students to attend school while fostering a love for learning and music. It also has provided a positive outlet for students, helping them develop important social and emotional skills. The family and community engagement that comes with the numerous performances and events has strengthened bonds and created a supportive environment for students and their families.

Brianna, a sixth-grade student at Lake Ridge Middle School, reflects on her first year as a strings student at Montclair Elementary School, "I love music in all its forms. It really makes me happy.  Playing with my string classmates makes me feel part of a group." This year at Lake Ridge Middle, Briana is excited for the opportunity to make new friends and continue her musical journey in the strings program.

The elementary strings program in PWCS is a testament to the power of music education and its ability to enrich the lives of students and the community. As it continues to grow and evolve, the strings program remains a cornerstone of the district’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education.

The elementary strings program is one of the many great music programs across the division that has contributed to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation’s recognition of PWCS as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for the fifth year in a row.