Welcome+to+Art

Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s),

Welcome! I am very enthusiastic about this new school year and hope that this letter will help you start planning and thinking about the exciting time ahead. I’d like to provide you with some information about me, my philosophy of art, and the responsibilities of your child.

My name is Olivia Haptonstall and this is my first year teaching here at East Middle School. Although I am a Colorado Native, I recently moved to Grand Junction from Eugene, Oregon where I have lived for the past seven years. While I love Oregon, I have family in Colorado Springs and decided to move back to be closer to them. During my time in Oregon, I achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Oregon and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Western Oregon University.

This year in art we will study drawing, color theory, painting and sculpture but your child will learn much more than technique. Art teaches students critical thinking skills and that there is often more than one correct solution to a problem. In art class, your child will be asked to problem solve and think outside of the box. In addition, your child will use art as a medium for self-expression and exploration.

In the art classroom, there are four rules that your child will be expected to follow. These are the rules:
 * 1) Use all necessary safety precautions when working with hazardous material.
 * 2) Respect the art studio and supplies by using all equipment appropriately, cleaning up your work space, and putting away all materials in their assigned locations.
 * 3) Respect other students by not touching other students’ artwork and recognizing their ideas as valuable.
 * 4) Bring a positive attitude and all materials necessary to be productive.

Finally, throughout the semester I will show off the amazing artwork your child has made through email and on the school wiki. Toward the end of the semester, we will have an art show where your child will be invited to present one or more works of art. I will contact you with more information as the art show draws near. In addition, if you are a local artist or know a local artist that would be interested in being a guest artist for a day please contact me and we can set up a day for you/him/her to present.

Overall, I am very excited about joining the East Middle School community, and I hope this letter is helpful to you. Please remember that you can write, call, or visit at any time. Sincerely,

Olivia Haptonstall

School Phone #: (970) 254-5020 Email: Olivia.Haptonstall@d51schools.org