Quil Lemons, Photographer Extraordinaire!!

His name is Quil Lemons. He’s 18 years old and fine example of a young black man doing some good in the hood!

Quil and his camera work wonders and those wonders were on display at the James Oliver Gallery on the 700 block of Chestnut Street here in Philly!

After ascending Jacob’s ladder, an unending and very steep stairway to heaven, I quickly discovered the climb was worth it! I beheld white walls awash with Quil’s photographs, on display for all of the guests take in. Pictures of young men, young ladies, objects, and an object of his affection, his sister, Zuri!

I eventually made my way to introduce myself to mister picture-taker extraodinaire, mentioning that his mother and I went to school together and that I was proud of what he was able to accomplish!

During the evening I made my way to James Oliver, the owner of the gallery and thanked him for giving Quil the opportunity to showcase his talents. While it may not have been my place to thank him, I felt like I needed to do so on behalf of young black men everywhere who are making a fine mark on the world with our talents and abilities, one way or another! I informed him that I read the piece on Fox29’s website and appreciate the focus on the positive contributions of our youth to society at large!

FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV

As I sat and munched on the hors d’oeuvres that were available, I noticed Quil doing “Quil”, snapping candid shots of the guests he knew. As he snapped, I got a quick snap in myself, a pic of him getting pics!

Capturing young ladies seated just outside of the picture!

All the best to Quil and big ups to mom, Jade and grandmom for raising a great kid!! Now, on to New York for college!!

Related:
Young, black, male, and plays classical!!

Re: The Suburban Station Violinist

On ART class at our school...

Recently, I asked my students to write an essay on whether they believe our school should have an art class five days a week instead of just one day a week. (Tuesday is the day we have an art teacher in our school.) Ummm, sure, I guess!

One of my resident art students on art class five days a week:
"Yes, I think John B. Kelly should have an art class five days a week. I love art and I can teach Mr. Flemming art. The End."

I'll take it!

My "Arts" Beliefs...

My belief in the arts being a component of children's learning experiences is not anything new.
As I was looking through old facebook pictures, I came across one when I was the Youth Program Director at the YMCA in West Philly! (Yup, I was born and raised in West Philly---and Southwest---52nd Street corridor)

I was responsible for nearly all youth programming at the branch and was always looking to improve upon the quality of our programs. I loved my team of youth program staff and volunteers and the majority of them loved "Mr. Steve" right back!

You'll notice the book I circled in the picture. With our leadership and with a great core of young arts teachers (high school students who I hired from CAPA in South Philly) we put together a PHENOMENAL dance program and a budding drama program!! At one point we had more than 100 girls enrolled in any one or more of our dance classes in two studios at the Y!

We had big productions throughout the year that would coincide with hat/glove drives and would also bring news crews. One year, we chose to take our end of the year performance at one of theaters at the Annenberg Center on Penn's campus!!!

The School District of Philadelphia, City Hall, and Harrisburg must do more increase the arts experiences of the students in Philadelphia, something that is as basic and expected in many of our wealthier suburban school districts. Many of our students have creative minds and abilities and are stifled because of the dearth of arts programs in our schools. Many teachers try to fill the void as best we can, but I will humbly admit my limitations!!

Click the link to find out what I did this past week for a kid who is always drawing in class!

We have GOT to do better!

Looks like my kids and I will be writing letters and sending some emails! It's not enough to just complain. Stay tuned!

P.S. I remember one critique from one of my principals was that I do too much "arts stuff" for Social Studies and not enough reading, lol (I actually did do quite a bit of reading with them--and it was good too, but every time there was a visit it seemed to be during our singing/rapping segments)

Since you like to draw in class...

I have a kid who loves to draw and is ALWAYS drawing in class! There are times when I go all traditional and say, "put that stuff away and pay attention!!" Then there are times when I feel very badly for him and many many others who don't have an art program in order to release their "artistic tension." (Like how I worded that? lol)

At Kelly, we have art once a week, in a regular classroom. Note: We have more than 600 students.

Instead of going into a huge political and public school funding dissertation, I'll dedicate this post to letting you know how I'm going to accommodate this student today.

Last week I had the class develop haikus on chart paper. They were to write two or three of them "all over the paper." Here's the task of my budding artist during SSR today...

Task for the person who is ALWAYS drawing in class----design the cover of our class big book of haikus! #art #artsed pic.twitter.com/JeEVljkFCl
— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) January 14, 2015

What's paper mache?

Some of my 3rd graders wanted to present their 3D insects and other critters to the class, so I let them. One girl described her butterfly and said that she used paper mache.

The same kid who asked when they would have art, asked what paper mache was? His question reignited my disdain for those who chose not to fully fund our schools so that ALL of our schools could have BOTH a full time art teacher and music teacher!

I vented with the kids for a minute or so about how I wish that they had a real art class and not just Mr. Flemming trying to infuse art into our academic program. I told them of where the art suite used to be in the building and all of the space they would/could have to do a whole lot of art projects!

John B. Kelly does have an art teacher. Once a week. On Tuesdays. Well over 600, probably near 700 students in the building. I wonder if the schools in Lower Merion or Upper Dublin have a similar arrangement?

Why am I even typing this? Why is it that a quality art program is a luxury or something that we'd have to try and fit into the budget? This is ludicrous! smh

"Are we ever going to get art?"

Yesterday during our bathroom break one of my 3rd graders, "Mr. Flemming, are we ever going to get art?"

Me, "I doubt it. That's why I try to do as much art in the classroom with you as possible."

Note: At John B. Kelly Elementary School (a real public school), we have an art teacher once a week, Tuesdays. That's up from none during some years and one day more than what many other schools currently have.

-_-

(Pssst! Pssst! Hey! Shhhh, I thought you should know that today there was a rally for more charters in Philly http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Charter-school-advocates-rally-for-expansion.html, I'm guessing now we'll go back to 0 days a week for the art teacher)

Mind Muzic

I stumbled across a great teaching aid! Mind Muzic is a company that describes itself as an educational music company. The genre is hip hop and they have albums that cover a wide range of content from mathematical concepts, to history, English, shapes etc. They have several albums for each grade level from K to college!

The music isn't the type of teacher-developed raps and music that I've downloaded, purchased and used in the past. Those were good and served their purpose. But this music that Mind Muzic has developed is the real deal! The music sounds just like the type of music that our youngsters are used to listening to! I've played the music in class and the kids jump up and have at it!

Not only is the music real, but it really helps to teach the content!! You HAVE to check it out for yourself! I purchased two albums from iTunes!

Their website --> http://www.mindmuzic.com/

Their twitter --> https://twitter.com/MindMuzic

Silly Me! The arts were CUT!!

As I was excitedly posting tweets and posts about the high school kid, Sean, who is talented beyond his years playing his violin, a colleague reminded me of something. Instrumental music was cut in Philadelphia!!!!

The School Reform Commission recently took a chain saw to the school district budget, cutting personnel and programs to balance the budget. This included instrumental music teachers, thus cutting the instrumental music programs that exist(ed) in many of our schools!

More than 3800 teachers, counselors, secretaries, librarians, et al were laid off. This, in addition to the nearly 130 assistant principals that were also let go!

Unless Pennsylvania and this nation are serious about funding its public schools, we'll see an entire generation of robots, capable of filling in bubbles and choosing "c" (click the link).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY2mRM4i6tY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Young, black, male, and plays classical!!

Anyone who frequents SEPTA's Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia would undoubtedly happen upon a young man who plays his violin with such skill and finesse, that you could easily miss your train listening to him go!!

There are many performers stationed throughout SEPTA's underground market place and main regional rail train station which spans several city blocks, but this kid takes the cake!
I briefly engaged him in a short conversation once in between performances. He goes to the High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) in South Philly. Note: CAPA is a PUBLIC high school!!!!

Though he goes to CAPA, he doesn't necessarily attribute his love of classical music and violin playing to CAPA. The environment, however, nurtures and promotes arts love with majors such as: Creative Writing, Instrumental Music, Visual Arts, Theater, Dance, and Vocal Music.

When I asked him what his gaols were, where he sees himself in the future, he responded that he definitely saw himself with a career in classical music.
Every single opportunity I get, including the one I had this past weekend, I drop a few dollars in the violin case that he has out.

There are times when he is accompanied by other youth who are also skillful with their instruments. But he is the constant.

What I really like is that this is an alternative image that hundreds, if not thousands, are getting of a young black male. His presence at Suburban Station is strategic! White collars pass through the station in droves and hear him play!! His pants don't sag, he doesn't wear a snap back and he is well spoken. The inverse of the aforementioned have their place somewhere, but the image that he portrays, gives many a reason to pause and reassess the first thing that comes to mind when "young black male" is mentioned!

I forget his name, unfortunately, but I'm sure a google or youtube search would assist with that. If I see it, it'll strike a "chord" and I'll post a follow-up!