Singing to finger painting: Monroe Elementary celebrates art with pasta

Macaroni art – whether you like it or not, every person knows the joy and sense of accomplishment when they see their hodgepodge of noodles and glue displayed on the fridge door.

Come next week, the Monroe Elementary PTA plans to expand this concept to allow pasta to showcase all forms of art, from stand-up comedy to ballet. And they said the community is sure to enjoy it.

"Children are drawn to art. They love to create and show what they are learning, even in a creative way ... (and) what we have at our school is strong," Monroe Elementary PTA President Cathy DeHaai said. "It gives them a lifelong love of art ... it may not look like much to the rest of the world, but their art pieces are masterpieces to us."

For the first time, Monroe Elementary will host a "Fine Arts and Spaghetti" from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 13.

According to the PTA president, the group decided to create the event that combines pasta and art after the school decided to implement a slight change to their annual Visitor's Day. In previous years, the event would kick-off with a breakfast, then the families would have a couple hours to visit classrooms, meet the elementary staff and see what the students have been working on. This year, in place of all encompassing Visitor's Day event, a month would be designated to each grade level where families can visit for a couple hours.

"We lost that comradery and us having a meal together at the school," DeHaai said. "During Visitor's Day breakfast, our art teacher would always put students' artwork on display. We wanted to make sure students still could showcase what they have been working on all year."

DeHaai said the artwork will not be the only student pieces featured that evening. From music to poetry to theater to dancing, community members will get to see all forms of art showcased at the fundraiser.

"We have some really talented students – not just drawing and painting, but students who are good actors, readers, great at musical instruments," she said. "Throughout the night, we will be having 'Readers Theaters,' where some classes will have plays, some are reading poetry they have written themselves or poems they have been studying, some are performing Spring jokes."

DeHaai said in addition to each grade levels' literacy performances, third through fifth graders will be given the opportunity to perform their talent show acts during the supper. With the spring talent show fast approaching, this night will allow the students to perform in front of an audience and work out the kinks in their acts.

"We could have students who are singing or playing piano," she said. "I was visiting my son's third grade classroom (Friday) and one of the teachers showed me some poetry the students have written on their own ... the structure of the poems were similar, but because of their individuality, each of the poems was so different and unique. It will be amazing to hear them read that in front of an audience."

In case a student decides to participate last-minute that evening, DeHaai said the PTA will have materials ready for them to perform.

"We will have different reading pieces for each level," she said. "My son has a baseball game that night, but if it is rained out, he will be at the supper. It will be great because he will have something ready in case he wants to perform."

While the performances may be the highlight of the night, DeHaai said patrons should also look forward to the free-will donation dinner, which will feature savory spaghetti dishes with both a meat and plain marinara sauce available, fresh salad, tasty breadsticks and sweet desserts.

With the Monroe Elementary PTA responsible for hosting school assemblies and awarding mini-grants to teachers, the funds raised that evening will not only help students continue art in the classroom, but help grow all subjects offered at the elementary school.

"As a PTA, we are here to fill in the gaps. Last year, our art teacher needed a new drying rack. It is kind of an expensive drying rack, but for her it was essential because her classroom is very student driven and this allowed them to continue to do artwork independently," she said. "The PTA came in and purchased that. That is where our role is."

DeHaai said Christy Humpal, the art teacher at the school, will also lead hands-on art activities in her classroom that evening to allow all patrons to dive into artistic side.

"It will be a hands-on thing families can do together at the event,"DeHaai said. "It is always fun when we all get together."

For more information, find Monroe Elementary PTA on Facebook.

The Monroe Elementary PTA is always looking for new members and volunteers. To get involved with the local group, call the school at 641-259-2314.

Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@monroelegacy.com