Students pair off, face off in dance competition
09/05/2006
WHO: Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Jefferson Montessori and Van Cleve
WHAT: Students have been studying ballroom dancing since February to prepare for a dance competition, “Dare to Dance,” scheduled for 4 p.m., Sunday, May 21, 2006 at the Crown Plaza
WHEN: Students at Van Cleve practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Students at Jefferson Montessori practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 1:15 p.m. this week and next.
WHERE: Van Cleve at McGuffey, 1032 Webster St.
Jefferson Montessori, 1231 N. Euclid Ave.
INFO: Seventh- and eighth-graders from Van Cleve and Jefferson have two weeks left before they take part in the May 21 competition. Dance instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Studios have worked with both groups of students on five dances: the waltz, rumba, tango, swing and merengue.
Van Cleve Principal Hindy Gruber was inspired to begin the program after watching the movie Mad Hot Ballroom, an insightful look at the lives of New York City school kids whose lives are transformed by their journey into the world of ballroom dancing.
The DPS students, who approached the program with apprehension (and sometimes dread), describe ballroom dancing as “fun” and are looking forward to demonstrating what they’ve learned.
For more information, contact Van Cleve Principal Hindy Gruber at 542-5740 or Jefferson Montessori Principal Czerny Buxton at 542-4990.
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