Students Explore The Culture Of Africa

By Anna Hodge

Tucked in a Head O’ Meadow Elementary School classroom, kids in kindergarten through third grade learned this week about the culture of Africa through Newtown Continuing Education’s Summer Music and Art (SMART) program, Adventure Safari.

Carol Skolas, who is the instructor for the program, has much experience in the art field. Along with being an art teacher at Newtown High School, Ms Skolas is also an art therapist for children with disabilities in Ridgefield. Ms Skolas said on Monday, July 12, as she helped students choose between paint colors, Adventure Safari is “about crafts of Africa, the stories of Africa, and what kids make and play with in Africa.”

According to Ms Skolas, students in the program make crafts pertaining to African culture.

“They make beads and masks of Africa, rain sticks, sit mats, as well as Wodaabe mirror pouches,” said Ms Skolas.

With the first session of Adventure Safari ending this Friday, July 16, and the second session running July 19 through July 30, local kindergarten through third grade students can still register for the second session by contacting Newtown Continuing Education at 203-426-1787.

Molly Nostrand is assisting Ms Skolas with the summer program as an intern.

“I help them out with any questions, anything they need help with. Anything that involves a hot glue gun really,” Molly said, with a laugh.

Being in the room where Adventure Safari is held is like being transported into a colorful haven of imagination and learning. The students sit around a table, laughing, and creating colorful pieces of African artwork.

Camper Malia Gioffre enjoyed her time in the first session of the program, and said, “My favorite part about African Safari is learning about Africa and learning what Africans do.”

Malia’s sister, Kaia, enjoyed the opportunity the program gave her to make art. Her favorite piece of artwork she has produced in the program was a bird mask.

“I’m going to hang it on my wall,” said Kaia.

As the kids sat around the table painting their latest creation, an African mask, they were filled with laughter as classes of other SMART programs were underway in surrounding classrooms.

Student William Brock took a moment from working on his colorful mask to say, “I like doing all the crafts and stuff.” 

 For more information on Newtown Continuing Education SMART programs, visit www.newtown.k12.ct.us, and click “Adult and Continuing Education” on the side menu.