Helping Children Cross Cultural Boundaries in the Borderlands: Arts Program at Freese Elementary in San Diego Creates Cultural Bridges

• Published in: Journal for learning through the arts Vol. 6; no. 1
• Main Authors: Brouillette, Liane, Jennings, Lynne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Center for Learning in the Arts, Sciences and Sustainability 2010
• Subjects: Academic Standards; Administrators; Art Education; Art Teachers; Community Organizations; Conflict; Elementary School Curriculum; Elementary School Students; Elementary School Teachers; Elementary Schools; English Language Learners; Integrated Curriculum; Interviews; Language Arts; Magnet Schools; Multicultural Education; Partnerships in Education; Puppetry; Safety; Teaching Experience; Theater Arts; California
• ISSN: 1932-7528

This article describes the unique multicultural arts program that has developed at Freese Elementary School, located only 20 minutes from the United States-Mexico border, in the southeastern corner of the San Diego Unified School District. The Arts and Culture Magnet Program at Freese grew out of the need build bridges in a neighborhood where rapid demographic change had created explosive tensions. The magnet program teaches visual and performing arts, literacy, and social studies through in-class artist residencies, workshops, field trips, and assemblies that have been developed in collaboration with local arts organizations. Through the arts, Freese has become a bright and cheery school where children are busy learning, an island of hope in a neighborhood beset by conflict.