STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — PS 65, the Academy of Innovative Learning, has transformed its approach to arts education over the past four years, with Principal Mary Jacob-Alex making the revival of the Tompkinsville school’s arts program a top priority upon her arrival.
The school now offers students the opportunity to perform in Broadway Jr. productions, with 41 fourth- and fifth-grade students currently preparing for “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Because PS 65 doesn’t have an auditorium, performances are hosted at Morris Intermediate School (I.S. 61) in Brighton Heights through a collaboration with Principal Kojo Campbell.
“PS 65’s mission is to meet the needs of the whole child. The arts are an essential part of that mission,” Jacob-Alex said. “Through visual art, music, and theatre, students learn to express themselves, think creatively, and connect with others in meaningful ways. These experiences build confidence, foster collaboration, and help children see the world through different perspectives, skills that are just as critical as any academic subject.”…