Release Date: 1/31/2012 Contact: Diana L. Spencer, 410-887-8905

School-based ballroom dance program doubles in size - again

26 Baltimore County schools to participate this year

TOWSON, MD - The Fifth Grade Ballroom Stars dance program in Baltimore County Public Schools has grown from 13 participating schools last school year to 26 this school year.

Through this weeklong program, students in participating schools spend their physical education periods learning dances like the merengue, tango, swing, and cha-cha from professional dancers and teachers. At the end of the program, parents are invited to see the students demonstrate their dance moves and then to dance with them.

The program is being held for the first time this school year in the following elementary schools:

Gunpowder
Jacksonville
Kingsville
Middlesex
Oliver Beach
Orems
Owings Mills
Pot Spring
Prettyboy
Riverview
Rodgers Forge
Sussex
Woodholme

The elementary schools that are continuing the program from previous years are:

Charlesmont
Chesapeake Terrace
Cromwell Valley
Elmwood
Hillcrest
Mars Estates
Norwood
Pleasant Plains
Relay
Sandalwood
Sandy Plains
Shady Spring
Vincent Farm

According to BCPS resource teacher Suzanne Henneman, the program has doubled in size each year for the last few years due to increased demand from schools.

The Grade 5 ballroom program is part of a larger initiative from the Offices of Health, Physical Education, and Dance addressing the need for students in Grades 5, 8, and 9 to develop respectful behaviors as well as knowledge and skills on the dance floor.

"The kids love it," Henneman said. "Because of television shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance' and ‘Dancing with the Stars,' ballroom dance has a more popular image. But at the same time that the students are having fun, they are also learning multiple lessons about respect, self-esteem, how to carry themselves…. There is a lot more to it than just learning the steps."

Dance is part of the rhythms and dance unit in the physical education curriculum. The program is funded at the local school level by school funds, parent/teacher/student associations, or Grade 5 parent boosters, and it is facilitated by the Office of Dance.

Ballroom Dance Schedule for the Remainder of the 2011-2012 School Year

January 30-February3
8:55-9:45 a.m. Oliver Beach Elementary School
9:10-10 a.m. Middlesex Elementary School
10:45-11:35 a.m. Kingsville Elementary School
11-11:50 a.m. Riverview Elementary School
1:10-2:00 p.m. Orems Elementary School
2:05-2:55 p.m. Gunpowder Elementary School

February 6-10
9:30-10:20 a.m. Woodholme Elementary School
2:50-3:40 p.m. Jacksonville Elementary School

March 26-30
9:05-9:55 a.m. Pleasant Plains Elementary School
10:55-11:45 a.m. Prettyboy Elementary School
2:00-3:20 p.m. Owings Mills Elementary School

April 10-13 (tentative)
9:20-10:10 a.m. Pot Spring Elementary School

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