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Windcoat art teacher spotlights student work and new digital tools funded by Cheltenham grant
Summary
At a Cheltenham School District board meeting, Windcoat Elementary art teacher Madison Sippa described classroom projects tied to cultural heritage, the school's adoption of Artsonia digital portfolios and a grant-funded purchase of light boxes; she said about 80% of families have connected to the platform.
Madison Sippa, Windcoat Elementary School's art teacher, told the Cheltenham School District board that the school's art curriculum emphasizes cultural diversity and family engagement. She said students produced projects for Hispanic Heritage Month, explored artistic traditions from Costa Rica and Mexico, and practiced techniques such as chalk pastel blending and painted night skies.
Sippa said the program has expanded to include the Artsonia digital portfolio platform, enabling families to view and comment on student work online. "In only a month, 80% of our families are connected to Artsonia and hundreds of comments have been left on student artwork," she said, describing the platform as a way for parents and relatives to celebrate students' creativity. Sippa thanked the Cheltenham Grant Foundation and district leaders for support that allowed the purchase of light boxes and the creation of a documentation area where students photograph and write statements about their work using district iPads.
Mr. Taylor, who introduced the presentation, said the art room is "a welcoming space for all students" and emphasized inclusion: the classroom provides opportunities for students of different abilities and backgrounds to express themselves. The presentation highlighted classroom steps to integrate technology with visual literacy and to increase family engagement around student work.
The board received the presentation; no formal action was recorded on the art program or the grant during the segment. The school indicated the Artsonia rollout is recent and that family connection rates and comment counts were based on the first month of use.
