"Every February OSA provides students with an opportunity to switch their sub-pathway. this affects the students and teaches in VARYING ways."--Hayley schoeneman, 6th grade
Every February OSA provides students with an opportunity to switch their sub-pathway. And plenty of students do for varying reasons. Some want to try something new, and some are going back to original choices.
Vida Saenz, a Production Design student is switching to Visual Arts for 7th grade. Saenz says “I want to switch because Production Design isn't really my thing, and I like to draw and do art, so that's why I want to switch to visual.” Saenz is confident that she will be fine starting in a new sub-pathway. “I feel like it would be great, I wouldn't be a total stranger because a lot of my friends are there and I know the teacher so it won’t be that big of a surprise.”
Most other students in her position are of the same opinion that friends make all the difference, “Well, if I didn’t know anyone in the sub-pathway I would be a lot more nervous, but I have quite a few friends, ” says Drax Richardson, an 8th grade Literary Arts student switching to Theatre.
Naomi West, also a Literary Arts student, who is in 6th grade says “I think it's gonna be very exciting and I have friends there and they’re really excited for me to be there and I’m really excited to be there, and learn new things.” West is switching to Dance in the Fall.
Sadie McMahon, a 7th grade Production Design student who wants to switch to Fashion Design, predicts that it might be hard starting in a new sub-pathway next year, since she will be switching into a class she has never been in before.
“I was thinking about it [switching] in 6th grade but when I had decided I wanted to do it it was too late,” Other students have known from the start of the year that they wanted to switch sub-pathways. Richardson says he knew “pretty soon after I started here.”
As for the audition process, students had varied experiences. West says “The process of applying to switch was pretty easy and pretty straightforward. They told me exactly what I needed for the audition.”
But McMahon contrasts, “It's been pretty stressful, getting together all the stuff I need.”
Richardson has his own opinion, saying that, “It's been interesting.” West also says “If I didn't get to switch I’d be disappointed.” Being disappointed if they don’t get in is another thing most students seem to agree on. Saenz says she would be “very disappointed in myself.” And, Richardson adds that “I would be pretty disappointed but I would definitely try again.”
The desire to switch arts is a common itch for many OSA students, however not all go through with it. Zanthe Jones-Gerachis is a 7th grade Literary Arts student who considered switching sub-pathways after her first year, but decided against it.
“My first choice was Visual Arts and my second was Literary Arts, so I decided I wanted to audition for Visual,” Jones-Gerachis says, explaining that she decided to stay because “over time I developed a love for Literary.”
Vida Saenz, a Production Design student is switching to Visual Arts for 7th grade. Saenz says “I want to switch because Production Design isn't really my thing, and I like to draw and do art, so that's why I want to switch to visual.” Saenz is confident that she will be fine starting in a new sub-pathway. “I feel like it would be great, I wouldn't be a total stranger because a lot of my friends are there and I know the teacher so it won’t be that big of a surprise.”
Most other students in her position are of the same opinion that friends make all the difference, “Well, if I didn’t know anyone in the sub-pathway I would be a lot more nervous, but I have quite a few friends, ” says Drax Richardson, an 8th grade Literary Arts student switching to Theatre.
Naomi West, also a Literary Arts student, who is in 6th grade says “I think it's gonna be very exciting and I have friends there and they’re really excited for me to be there and I’m really excited to be there, and learn new things.” West is switching to Dance in the Fall.
Sadie McMahon, a 7th grade Production Design student who wants to switch to Fashion Design, predicts that it might be hard starting in a new sub-pathway next year, since she will be switching into a class she has never been in before.
“I was thinking about it [switching] in 6th grade but when I had decided I wanted to do it it was too late,” Other students have known from the start of the year that they wanted to switch sub-pathways. Richardson says he knew “pretty soon after I started here.”
As for the audition process, students had varied experiences. West says “The process of applying to switch was pretty easy and pretty straightforward. They told me exactly what I needed for the audition.”
But McMahon contrasts, “It's been pretty stressful, getting together all the stuff I need.”
Richardson has his own opinion, saying that, “It's been interesting.” West also says “If I didn't get to switch I’d be disappointed.” Being disappointed if they don’t get in is another thing most students seem to agree on. Saenz says she would be “very disappointed in myself.” And, Richardson adds that “I would be pretty disappointed but I would definitely try again.”
The desire to switch arts is a common itch for many OSA students, however not all go through with it. Zanthe Jones-Gerachis is a 7th grade Literary Arts student who considered switching sub-pathways after her first year, but decided against it.
“My first choice was Visual Arts and my second was Literary Arts, so I decided I wanted to audition for Visual,” Jones-Gerachis says, explaining that she decided to stay because “over time I developed a love for Literary.”
“I can take an after school arts class because my mom’s an art teacher but taking an after school writing class would be a lot harder,”she says, adding that “I thought about what I want to do for a career.”
But how is this process for arts teachers? Most teachers say that they have around two to three students switching each year. Andrew Junge, the assistant chair for Visual Arts, who also teaches 8th and 11th grade Visual Arts says that “the people who leave our program generally leave the school.”
Linda Ricciardi, the chair of Fashion Design says that “Fashion has very few students who switch out, only about 3 in total in the seven years the sub-pathway has been around.”
Jordan Karnes, the chair for Literary Arts says, “Now that there aren’t auditions to get into middle school I think that we're gonna start seeing more kids switch.”
The audition is the same for new students and internal transfers according to many teachers. Junge says that they ask the “same questions and they’re usually questions about engagement level.” Karnes agrees and says that “They are the same auditions that I would run for that grade level.”
According to all the teachers, wanting to be in that art, and wanting to do the work, is the most important factor in their auditions. Junge says that “Talent is less of an indicator than desire and drive” in their decision making process. Ricciardi agrees. “Some sewing skills [and] enthusiasm for the craft,” are the main things she looks for. Karnes says pretty much the same thing. “A desire to write, and a desire to be in a writing community” is what they look for.
Rolando Morales, the co-chair of the Theater Sub-Pathway says that “I am definitely supportive of students investigating a different path.” All the other teachers have similar things to say about students switching sub-pathways. “I want to support it, especially if it's what they really want,” Junge says. Karnes adds that “I’m happy that they are taking agency and figuring out what they want to do, because I would much rather have someone transfer out than be unhappy or restless in my department.” Ricciardi says something similar to Karnes. “I want all students at OSA to be in the art form that most inspires them.”
OSA Principal Katy Zaugg says that this year’s internal transfer process is the same as last year. For changes going forward she says that “The pathway access classes for middle school have been an awesome addition to the program, giving students an opportunity to explore other pathway classes and explore talents. I would love to expand and continue into high school.” Finally, Zaugg explains that “pathway changes will stay annual, due to space and content, the classes are not meant to be semesters,” when asked about whether or not students will ever be able to switch mid year.
But how is this process for arts teachers? Most teachers say that they have around two to three students switching each year. Andrew Junge, the assistant chair for Visual Arts, who also teaches 8th and 11th grade Visual Arts says that “the people who leave our program generally leave the school.”
Linda Ricciardi, the chair of Fashion Design says that “Fashion has very few students who switch out, only about 3 in total in the seven years the sub-pathway has been around.”
Jordan Karnes, the chair for Literary Arts says, “Now that there aren’t auditions to get into middle school I think that we're gonna start seeing more kids switch.”
The audition is the same for new students and internal transfers according to many teachers. Junge says that they ask the “same questions and they’re usually questions about engagement level.” Karnes agrees and says that “They are the same auditions that I would run for that grade level.”
According to all the teachers, wanting to be in that art, and wanting to do the work, is the most important factor in their auditions. Junge says that “Talent is less of an indicator than desire and drive” in their decision making process. Ricciardi agrees. “Some sewing skills [and] enthusiasm for the craft,” are the main things she looks for. Karnes says pretty much the same thing. “A desire to write, and a desire to be in a writing community” is what they look for.
Rolando Morales, the co-chair of the Theater Sub-Pathway says that “I am definitely supportive of students investigating a different path.” All the other teachers have similar things to say about students switching sub-pathways. “I want to support it, especially if it's what they really want,” Junge says. Karnes adds that “I’m happy that they are taking agency and figuring out what they want to do, because I would much rather have someone transfer out than be unhappy or restless in my department.” Ricciardi says something similar to Karnes. “I want all students at OSA to be in the art form that most inspires them.”
OSA Principal Katy Zaugg says that this year’s internal transfer process is the same as last year. For changes going forward she says that “The pathway access classes for middle school have been an awesome addition to the program, giving students an opportunity to explore other pathway classes and explore talents. I would love to expand and continue into high school.” Finally, Zaugg explains that “pathway changes will stay annual, due to space and content, the classes are not meant to be semesters,” when asked about whether or not students will ever be able to switch mid year.
