Our Poetry Alive artist-in-residence program was a smashing success, despite the fact that our Poetry Alive presenters were unable to actually come to AIS-R.  The flexible and creative teachers at AIS-R made the experience a valuable one for the students.  In preparing students at all levels for the visit, our kids experienced and were exposed to an approach and appreciation of poetry that would not have been possible otherwise.

At the high school level, our English and drama departments had kids writing and performing poems.  A number of students performed at a dinner theatre for parents and many students performed for elementary kids in their classrooms as well as at a grade three assembly.  Middle school teachers have done a most comprehensive job of teaching, writing and performing poems. They have created a Poetry Cafe to have kids perform - some individually, some in small groups and some as a class.  It was set up as an old coffee house of the beat generation - including snacks and specially built sets.  The Elementary school had closure of this experience with some large and some small performances.

Throughout this process, all three levels were connected in their study of literature and appreciation of poetry, taking advantage of the very special nature of a K-12 school.  The interactions among students and staff were a very great highlight.