One of Guilderland's priorities is to move students beyond New York State's standards, preparing them not just for the tests they will take in school but also for the real "tests" of life. Here is an example of how the district is accomplishing this priority:

GHS students experience...

The art of dance

Guilderland High School teacher Bob Oates firmly believes that dance opens the door to creativity. As the instructor of the school’s two dance classes, creative dance and dance history, Oates encourages his students to use the art of movement to communicate with others. “Dance to the music that moves you,” he tells them, “and in turn, you will move your audience.”

Oates, a former physical education teacher and elementary principal, has been teaching dance at Guilderland for more than 25 years. He began offering after-school classes for elementary students in 1979, before becoming a dance teacher at the high school in 1997.

Today, approximately 100 students, both male and female, enroll in GHS dance classes each year—and that number continues to climb.

“I’ve always liked to dance, but I never imagined being able to do it in class,” said freshman Paul Webb.

Fostering creativity

What makes the dance classes at GHS unique from many other dance courses offered throughout the area, is that both creative dance and dance history are classified as art electives, rather than as physical education classes. In fact, outside of New York City, GHS is one of only three schools across the state to offer dance as an arts credit.

“Dancing is an art,” said Oates. “It is a way for students to share their thoughts and feelings through movement.”

Sophomore Ashley Blanchard agrees. “You need to feel the music,” she said, “and only then can you really express yourself through your steps.”

In addition to fostering creativity, students in both dance classes—as in all art classes—also incorporate a variety of other educational disciplines into their work.

“Through looking at the origin of world dances, students are learning about history, social studies, and geography,” Oates said. “We use math to analyze the construction of music and to count beats, and even science when exploring how choreography can facilitate the release of energy.”

Oates also incorporates business elements into the class by having students design posters to “advertise” their dance companies prior to their year-end performance.

Lasting benefits

Although the benefits of dance are many, Oates has two specific thoughts he hopes his students carry with them long after classes have ended.

First off, he wants students to know that dance is something that they can carry with them for their entire lives. “It is an art form that they can continue to learn about, practice, and benefit from for years,” said Oates.

In addition, he hopes that students will continue to recognize the importance of creativity in leading healthy and happy lives. “Creativity is something that can be utilized in all aspects of life...at home, at school, and in the workplace,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, analytical skills are important—they help you understand a problem. But creative skills are the tools that help you solve the problem and express your ideas to the world,” he said.

--June 2005