‘Dance to Learn!’® in Title One Schools

Dance Exploration, LLC in Denver, is Colorado's Premier in-school mobile dance and performing arts enrichment program and home of the 'Dance to Learn!'® Curriculum! We make dance education accessible to EVERYONE by bringing our classes to children in their schools! Our Business Philosophy is "Every Child Should have the Chance to Dance!" At Dance Exploration we believe that every child should be given an opportunity to dance regardless of social status, race, or ability! We make our classes available to everyone through financial aid services, scholarships and payment plans. In 2013 we started our 'Dance to Learn!'® in Title 1 Schools initiative designed to raise money for Title 1 schools in Colorado that needed financial assistance in funding our programs.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Dance Exploration's 'Dance to Learn!'® Curriculum is a valuable addition to any early head start, preschool, pre-k or early elementary and elementary education location. Our 6 Methods of Dance™ are designed to teach the whole child at all stages of their development. 'Dance to Learn!'® classes build critical and creative thinking skills, enhance creative expression and introduce social-emotional skills such as patience, waiting turns and sharing. The 'Dance to Learn!'® Program for Elementary Schools include an AcceptDANCE™ Policy which encourages healthy relationships among participants. 'Dance to Learn!'® Program goals and outcomes align with the Head Start School Readiness Goals for Preschool Children, Common Core Standards for Grades 1-5 as well as state and national standards for Dance Education. Classes are structured for success! The 'Dance to Learn!'® Class Flow is choreographed to follow the natural progressions of a child's movement and learning abilities to ensure mastery of class objectives and movement studies. 'Dance to Learn!'® classes brighten a child's school day by waking the brain and body up with lively, and educational dance based movement games and activities. Class is led by a passionate and Certified 'Dance to Learn!'® Educator who cares about nurturing the success of each student at every turn. The learning does not stop in the classroom. The 'Dance to Learn!'® at Home with Me™ Program is included in all classes. It stresses the important role parents and care givers play in the academic success of their children.

BENEFITS OF DANCE IN SCHOOL

According to the National Dance Education Organization, dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

• Dance is a great form of physical exercise. It teaches strength, coordination, balance, increases flexibility, and endurance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 5 school aged children suffers from childhood obesity. Dance is a great form of physical activity that can help combat this epidemic.
• Dance develops emotional maturity. Children in dance class don't learn only how to express their own emotions through dance and movement, but they can also learn to become aware of their peers emotions through dance.
• Dance teaches social cooperation. Children in a dance class must learn not only how their own body moves in space, but also how their body must interact with others in space. Sometimes dancing in partners, small groups and large groups, children must learn how to accept the unique talents of their peers, accept the cultural differences of their classmates, and how to work together to accomplish a common goal.
• Children in dance class can be faced with challenges of creating a dance or movement that tells a story, relates to a concept or idea, or imitates an animal, person or idea. This constant test of creative development and problem solving is a huge benefit to a child's cognitive development.

TITLE ONE SCHOOLS

A Title One School is a school with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. According to America After 3pm Parents living in communities of concentrated poverty report challenges regarding the availability and accessibility of afterschool programs in their area. The cost of an afterschool program weighed heavily both in their selection of a program and in the decision some made to not send their child to an afterschool program. Close to 9 in 10 African-American parents agree that afterschool programs help give working parents peace of mind (87 percent) and that there should be some type of organized activity or place for children and teens to go after school every day that provides them opportunities to learn (88 percent). 42% of Parents living in concentrated poverty report that After School Programs don't offer enough opportunity for physical activity.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Dance Exploration, LLC raises money each year to help fund our programs in Title 1 Schools. Dance Exploration provides free or reduced priced dance classes to children in Title One Schools or families that participate in the Denver Preschool Program who provide tuition credits to assist families pay for high quality preschool education.

Without Funding, Dance Exploration discounts our services 15-45% for schools and individual families. Families must qualify for free or reduced lunches to qualify for Financial Aid (10-30% based on need). In order for schools to qualify for a discount, they must be classified as Title One. (See Chart Below) With donations and fundraising efforts, we can increase the amount we discount our classes from 45% to up to 83%

Through our Fundraising efforts, we are able to provide greater discounts to families and schools in need of After School Programs. When an individual or business sponsors a child, family or school, you can help us fund programs for families and schools in need by allowing us to provide full scholarships to low-income families and free sessions or classes to Title One Schools.

HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS US FUND OUR PROGRAM