Celebrating ECISD Fine Arts, district earns two awards
![six Odessa HS band students standing by a bus, instruments raised over their heads, smiling]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787259115/ectorcountyisdorg/yb3xllvlwcgk39xv7xef/OHSband-celebrating.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787259115/ectorcountyisdorg/yb3xllvlwcgk39xv7xef/OHSband-celebrating.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787259115/ectorcountyisdorg/yb3xllvlwcgk39xv7xef/OHSband-celebrating.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787259115/ectorcountyisdorg/yb3xllvlwcgk39xv7xef/OHSband-celebrating.jpg","width":1000}])
Visual arts and music programs honored from two different organizations
Ector County ISD leaders are excited to announce a pair of honors received by the ECISD Fine Arts team. One is the District of Distinction award from the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) and the second is Best Communities for Music Education from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
“ECISD has a commitment to, and a long history of, excellence in fine arts,” said Executive Director of Fine Arts Dr. Aaron Hawley. “It is a cornerstone of our district’s educational offerings and for decades has given students a place to shine, grow, and succeed. Today in ECISD, more than 22,000 students receive weekly instruction in fine arts. This is 72% of the student population.”
This is the 6th consecutive year ECISD has earned the TAEA honor. The District of Distinction award celebrates the commitment to a well-rounded education and outstanding leadership in promoting visual arts. ECISD visual arts students participate in competitions, take part in Texas Big Art Day, perform community service, visit museums and galleries and work with artists, receive support and advocacy through media, and integrate other subjects into lesson plans. In short, ECISD programs encourage individual growth and connect students to their peers, school, and society at large. About 5,000 students participate in visual arts, and the district is proud to be among the 127 school districts that received this TAEA distinction this year, placing ECISD among the top 10% of Visual Arts programs in the state.
Additionally, ECISD is among the Best Communities for Music Education for the 12th year in a row, a prestigious, national recognition for its music programs. Best Communities for Music Education is a signature program of The NAMM Foundation and it recognizes and celebrates schools and districts for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education. It is a comprehensive application and review process that takes into account funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support. The applications are independently reviewed and verified.
“The arts often represent the heart of a school,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keeley Boyer. “Music and art inspire and unite. They are vital to passing along the proud traditions of a campus. Congratulations to our dedicated teachers and students for earning these accolades. They represent our school district and our community with excellence every day.”
