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Join us for the 30th Anniversary of the Very Special Arts Festival on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm. This year's theme will be The Great Outdoors. VSAF celebrates the artistic achievements of students with disabilities along with their mainstream peers. This FREE festival features continuous performances on two stages, workshops in the visual and performing arts, and an exhibit of student art created around the theme. All schools are welcome to participate.
 Photo by Loren Philip/HP Photography
The festival is held on the Music Center Plaza in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. VSAF is free to the public and open to all grade levels. No reservations are required, but notification of attendance is appreciated.
Review the 2008 Curriculum Guide with theme Stars (Word Download) or (PDF Download) for resources, activities and directions for study.
Download the Stars Flyer in English and Spanish. (PDF)
View artwork from 2007 festival, California Cultures -- Shaping History.
There are many ways you and your students can participate in the festival. Students can perform onstage at one of the two outdoor stages, submit artwork for display, or simply enjoy the many activities. Performances should have some relevance to the theme and must be five minutes or less to allow as many students to participate as possble. We welcome your submissions of artwork, poetry, or photography spotlighting the theme. Please review the Performance Information Form and Art Submission Guidelines below for more information.
Introductory Letter - Word Download
Registration Form (attachment "A") - Word Download
Performance Information Form (attachment "B") - Word Download
Student Exhibits - Entry Blank (attachment "C") - Word Download
Parent Permission to Participate (Attachment "D") English / Spanish - Word Download English, Download Spanish
Directions to the Music Center - Word Download
Art Submission Guidelines - Word Download
 Photo by Loren Philip/HP Photography
Each year, over 200 volunteers contribute their time and energy into making the Very Special Arts Festival possible. There are opportunities to volunteer before and during the event, and your help with this year's festival would be greatly appreciated. We can assign volunteers to areas where there is a need or you can indicate areas where you would like to work.
Volunteer Sign Up Form - Download Word Document, Download PDF Document
Volunteer Information - Download Word Document, Download PDF Document
For questions or additional information about community and volunteer participation, please contact:
Lovey Sherman
Volunteer Chair
Fax: 323-722-7277
Phone: 323-722-7994
School buses will drop off students on Hope Street between First and Temple. Bus parking instructions will be available in March 2009.
Teachers, please register your bus time by contacting:
LAUSD:
Paul Keifers
LAUSD Transportation Branch Manager, Bus Dispatch
2011 North Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032.
Phone: 323-342-1460
LACOE and all non-LAUSD schools:
Franco Giangualano
Phone: 562-803-8516
Fax: 562-803-8477
Email: giangualano_franco@lacoe.edu
| Choosing Your Words With Dignity | |
What you write and say creates images and perceptions about people with disabilities. Using negative words encourages stereotyping. Positive, constructive words can enhance the dignity of people with disabilities and promote positive attitudes about their abilities. Avoid negative terms such as "victim," "cripple," lame," stricken" or "afflicted by" (disability). When talking to or about people with disabilities, refer to the person first rather than the disability.
Some appropriate phrases include:
* Person (or child or student) who is visually impaired
* Person who is deaf
* Person who uses a wheelchair
* Person with developmental disabilities
* Person who has muscular dystrophy
It is no longer appropriate to use the term "handicap" when referring to a disability. The appropriate terminology to use would be "disability." Avoid using education or medical jargon and acronyms (e.g., "OH" or "SED") to describe students. Positive descriptions include, for example, "child with physical disabilities" or "student with severe emotional disturbances."
Visit www.inclusiveschools.org for practical strategies on how to create more inclusive homes, schools and communities.
Directions to the Music Center Downloads - (Word Doc), (PDF)
Parking will be in the Music Center Garage at 135 North Grand Avenue.
If you are a teacher or school interested in participating, contact:
For Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) teachers:
Terry Gonzalez
LAUSD Division of Special Education
Phone: (213) 241-6701
Email: teresa.gonzalez@lausd.net
For L.A. County teachers or non-LAUSD teachers:
Ray Guilleaume
Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
Phone: 562-803-8451
Email:guilleaume_ray@lacoe.edu
For production questions or further information about the Festival, contact:
Suzy Boyett
Phone: (213) 972-3305
Email: sboyett@musiccenter.org
The Very Special Arts Festival is sponsored in part by Dr. and Mrs. Peter S. Bing and a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department.
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