Children's Art is Blooming Exhibit

Speaker Joe R. Salter and President Don D. Hines of the La. Legislature gave approval for the display to be located in the State Capitol building, in hopes that legislators, staff, and visitors alike could view, appreciate and be inspired by the beautiful and creative art work of these young student artists.

"Fluttering Across the Curriculum" is a hands on interactive school butterfly garden project sponsored by the La. Butterfly Hospitiality Contest . This school catagory provides students the chance to learn in an outdoor classroom with hopes of kindling interest in the beauty of nature and realizing the interconnectedness of each human being with our natural environment.

A Shell Petals Grant made possible by Shell Oil Company in partnership with the Naitonal Garden Club, La. Garden Club, & La. Butterfly Hospitality was awarded to Allemands Elementary 3 years ago to implement this hands on interactive teaching garden. The students planted seeds, trees, made bird feeders, watered the plants, wrote poetry, and drew beautiful garden art as they watched the garden bloom into a place of beauty and continual education.

The garden offered a space of hope, safety and healing for the teachers, staff and students....as the hurricanes of 2005 took a toll on every person of Louisiana.

THROUGH ADVERSITY RISES BEAUTY....
Arts education was encouraged to help students develop their talents through observation in the beauty of the garden. Soon blossoms appeared on canvas for these 1st and 2nd grade students.

TOP 10 REASONS FOR ARTS EDUCATION
-THE ARTS
1. Make learning come alive
2. Strengthen academic performance
3. Prepare students for jobs & careers
4. Are a significant part of the United States Economy
5. Cultivate skills & discipline
6. Provide vital avenues for expression
7. Bring Parents into schools
8. Build business & community participation
9. Teach cultural diversity in an increasingly diverse nation
10. The arts are basic to life.

The Louisiana Governor's Mansion Foundation, and the LGCF/Butterfly Hospitality is honored to support THE CHILDREN OF LOUISIANA.

The Allemands Elementary School of St. Charles Parish has become known for quality education and age appropriate instruction. Many visitors come to see the Reading Recovery Program, literature-based instruction, art work and overall positive approach to teaching. Allemands is leading the way to quality public education in St. Charles Parish & in Louisiana.