Season’s Greetings from the Malta Avenue Art Room

            I’m pleased to let you know many of our first semester art projects will be returned to the students this week. You may even be delighted to find a “treasure under your tree”. Seriously, I try to return artwork in a timely manner, but, I love to share our students’ talents. Sometimes work is on display for an extended time

            I’m very fortunate to have the able assistance of many volunteers this year. These volunteers cut paper, trace patterns, hang artwork and even tie art aprons. Every week I have the pleasure of working with Kim Diaz, Christine Franco, Karen Hilton, Alex Esposito, Anne Gorman, and Lisa Wein. On behalf of Malta Avenue Elementary School, I thank you all, for your generous gift of time and talent.

            Best wishes to all our Malta Avenue Families and Friends. May the upcoming holidays be filled with your favorite things.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Pat Chakas

Art News

Hi all you Art fans!

    Mrs. Pat Chakas here. I'm pleased to be back at Malta Avenue Elementary School where I started teaching Art part time in 1984. I have always hoped we'd return to a K-5 building and here we are! Although I've been here all along, I must admit seeing those fresh young faces will do me good -hey, and I'm not even talking about the kids here, the staff has a few" youngins" too!

    I look forward to a great new school year. Please don't hesitate to get in touch via the school website should you have any questions or concerns. It is my pleasure to work in the Ballston Spa school district and in your community. I 'm certain we have some masterpieces in store for us.

Artists are interesting people.  I was in high school when I picked up the Irving Stone book “ Lust for Life”.  It was a wonderful biography about Vincent Van Gogh’s life.  Right then, I was hooked.  I love books that discuss artists, their lives and their art style.  I am happy to share little tid bits in class that personalize and de-mystify the artists and art styles we study.  Although I’m not able to discuss all the details of an artist, (how do you explain the Van Gogh “ear thing” to a young third grader?)  I strive to answer their questions and present these creative individuals as real people with families and responsibilities. 

    A librarian within our school district, Ms. Marie Rossi, has compiled a selected list of books we have in the Malta Avenue Library.  Please encourage your child to take out one that would be of interest to him/her.  They love to share their knowledge and there’s nothing like having a Picasso Cubism expert in the family!

Click here to view the list.

http://www.ballstonspa.k12.ny.us/district_info/disclaimer.htm