No Summer Break for Us!

Contrary to what you might think, Olive Tree Arts Network stays busy throughout the summer. This is when we take time to reflect on our programs, analyze feedback from students and staff, and explore opportunities for improvement. We also stay informed on current events and trends to ensure our curriculum remains relevant and impactful.

Former teacher and current board member Julie Waller is collaborating with curriculum director Adam Gottlieb and teaching artist Hera Shakir to review the program. Together, they are exploring ways to incorporate more one-on-one activities, allowing students to build deeper connections.

“When I was teaching second graders at LaSalle Language Academy, a prestigious Level 1 Magnet School in Chicago, we launched a pen pal program that connected my students with peers from a Hispanic school in Arizona,” said Waller who has 34 years teaching experience. “This was long before email and the internet, so the students exchanged actual handwritten letters. Many of them are still in touch to this day.”

Through these discussions, the team decided to focus specifically on 4th-grade students, aiming to create more opportunities for building one-on-one relationships. To achieve this, they plan to restructure activities so that students work in smaller groups, reducing group sizes from 10 to just 3. Consistency will also be a priority, with each session featuring the same teaching artist and group members. 

“Our mission is to use creative expression to promote understanding, cooperation and peace in a multicultural society,” said Waller. “By helping these students recognize their similarities, we can move closer to fulfilling that mission.”