A mural and song are the results of a yearlong project that involved students and staff at Seton Catholic School in Hudson.
Working with the school psychologist and guest speakers, the Seton School community engaged in a variety of experiences that enabled them to demonstrate self-awareness of emotions and personal strengths while developing supportive relationships. The result was the “Many Hearts, One Journey” reveal celebration, which showcased the mural and song that evolved from the school-wide project.
School officials said art and music are natural facilitators of emotion and personal expression, and acted as a conduit to connect social-emotional learning to the fine arts curriculum. Jessica Chmura, art teacher; Jennifer Morris, music teacher; and Tom Panei, artist in residence, collaborated on the project.
They said that through their experiences of social-emotional learning through the arts, students found their own evolving story and voice within a supportive environment that encouraged individual growth and personal expression. Panei shared his talents with the students as an artist and musician in residence to help each individual in the Seton community create their own story. Today’s world needed to begin a journey towards healing, he said.
The Seton “Many Hearts, One Journey” initiative guided the students, staff and families toward healing through the creative arts and resulted in the mural and a school song. The project was funded through a GAR Educator Initiative Grant.
Completion of the mural and song provided the Seton community the opportunity to creatively work together on a project that was hands-on, personal and long-lasting, school officials said.
“Today we celebrate the leadership of Mrs. Chmura and Mrs. Morris,” said Karen Alestock, Seton principal, at the unveiling ceremony in May. “Over a year ago, these talented Seton Catholic School fine arts teachers had an idea. They wanted their students and colleagues to engage in creative activities that would bring our school community closer together through music and art. And so, ‘Many Hearts, One Journey’ was born. Throughout this past year, students and staff have worked collaboratively to explore their own stories and to express themselves through art and music. Our school mural, classroom and office artwork, and school song are all joyful products of our efforts,” she added.
Photos provided by Seton Catholic School