Kindergarten students practiced bongo drums at the Hamilton East Public Library during a recent visit, getting a hands-on introduction to music as part of a new Hamilton Southeastern Schools program connecting art, movement and literacy.
The drumming was one part of The Arts, a Kindergarten Experience, which will reach approximately 1,100 students across HSE’s 13 elementary schools. Piloted last spring, the program is now being fully implemented as the district’s sixth guaranteed student experience.
Dr. Danielle Fetters-Thompson, HSE’s assistant superintendent of foundational learning, described the program as “a great way to introduce our students to the arts.”
She said the arts focus adds something different to the district’s guaranteed experiences, which otherwise center on STEM or social studies. It also introduces HSE’s youngest learners to creative opportunities in Fishers.
The activities connect with learning that begins before students arrive. Fetters-Thompson said the children had read a book about a little girl and drumming before taking part in the Bongo Boy drumming experience.
Their itinerary also included watercolor painting and a clay activity at the Fishers Art Center, along with another library activity connecting the experience to literacy.
The initiative brings together HSE Schools, the Fishers Art Center — a division of the Indianapolis Art Center — and Hamilton East Public Library. Every HSE kindergarten student will visit both locations during the school year, according to the district.
HSE says the program aligns with Indiana academic standards for visual arts, dance, music and English/language arts, connecting the field trip activities with classroom instruction.
“This experience reflects our belief that learning should be engaging, creative, and connected to the world beyond the classroom,” HSE Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley said in the district’s announcement. “Thanks to our partnerships with the Fishers Arts Center and Hamilton East Public Library, our kindergarten students can explore the arts in meaningful ways.”
A planning committee helped shape the program for young learners. Its members included kindergarten teachers; art, music and physical education teachers; building principals; and leaders from the art center and library. Together, they designed activities blending visual art, movement and literacy while introducing families to community arts resources.
Michelle O’Hollaren, executive vice president of education and innovation for the Indianapolis Art Center/Fishers Art Center, said the visits may give some children their first opportunity to create in a professional arts setting.
“By giving every HSE kindergartener the opportunity to explore, make, and experience art firsthand, we are helping build creativity, confidence, and curiosity that can extend far beyond the art studio,” O’Hollaren said in the announcement.
Hamilton East Public Library Director Melissa Loiselle said the partnership with HSE and the City of Fishers fits the library’s mission of connecting the community with information and ideas. She also highlighted Ignite Studio, the makerspace at the Fishers Library.
“The Ignite Studio is an incredible makerspace at our Fishers Library that we are excited to share with our community’s youngest innovators!” Loiselle said.
The program joins HSE’s expanding collection of guaranteed experiences, designed to give every student access to hands-on learning throughout their time in the district.