{"id":27669,"date":"2019-08-20T18:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T23:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/?p=27669"},"modified":"2019-08-20T17:18:18","modified_gmt":"2019-08-20T22:18:18","slug":"community-school-of-the-arts-at-austin-peay-adds-classes-for-children-with-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/2019\/08\/20\/community-school-of-the-arts-at-austin-peay-adds-classes-for-children-with-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Community School of the Arts at Austin Peay adds classes for children with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AustinClarksville, TN<\/strong> – The Community School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University (APSU) spans all age groups and skill levels, and the offerings continue to grow.<\/p>\n

This semester\u2019s offerings start September 9th, 2019 and the school is adding two dance classes \u2013 named Expressions Through Dance \u2013 that will embrace a learning environment for children with disabilities.<\/p>\n

\"Alexandria<\/a>

Alexandria Heide, above, will use patterns, rhythms and small dances to enhance the students\u2019 creativity, imagination and motor and socialization skills. (APSU)<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The class \u2013 led by APSU dance major Alexandria Heide \u2013 will use patterns, rhythms and small dances to enhance the students\u2019 creativity, imagination and motor and socialization skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Alexandria approached me with the idea for this class, I knew it would be something really special,\u201d said Dr. Janice Crews, director of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, which manages the school.<\/p>\n

Crews approached APSU Disability Services Director Jamie McCrary and Eriksson College of Education\u2019s Dr. Lori Morris \u2013 who specializes in special education \u2013 for help designing the classes.<\/p>\n

Primarily, the classes will be small and have a small instructor-to-student ratio, one or two students per instructor. APSU special education students will help Heide teach the class. The classes will be in the Memorial Health Building\u2019s large Dance Studio A on campus.<\/p>\n

One class will cater to children ages 4-8 and is 10:00am-10:45am on Saturdays, and the other class will be for those ages 9-15 from 11:00am-11:45am Saturdays. Both run eight weeks, starting September 14th, and are $100.00.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was important to get input from all of the right people on campus so that we could do this class the right way and adequately meet the needs of our community,\u201d Crews said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to make it as easy for our students as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

An Impact On The Community<\/h3>\n

Heide approached Crews about the class earlier this year after her roommate \u2013 who is studying special education \u2013 inspired her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so excited to be a part of something so impactful to our community,\u201d Heide said. \u201cEvery child deserves different opportunities that promote positivity and beneficial learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

[320left]Crews added: \u201cThe more I talked to Jamie, the more I talked to Lori, I realized there isn\u2019t really anything like this offered in the community. We\u2019re trying to meet the needs of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCrary added: \u201cThese classes will have an impact on the community, and I see them going a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Classes, Old-Favorites<\/h3>\n

Also new this semester is \u201cThe Short Film,\u201d during which students, ages 14 or older, will learn to film and edit video using a smartphone app. The class is taught by filmmaker Dillon Ward of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Short Film\u201d runs eight weeks \u2013 5:00pm-6:30pm Tuesdays \u2013 starting September 10th and costs $120.00.<\/p>\n

Returning classes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n