Do you sometimes wonder what goes on in Gloucester's city schools?
Well, Saturday offers a unique opportunity to get a firsthand look, especially when it comes to the arts and some innovative science programs.
The occasion is the annual Gloucester Citywide School Arts Festival, which runs from the 11 a.m. opening ceremonies at City Hall, through the 3 p.m. closing ceremonies that feature the Gloucester High School and elementary school choruses performing with GHS' acclaimed Docksiders' concert band at the same site.
In between, residents will have a chance to take in a wide variety of student artwork and live presentations at City Hall, Cape Ann Museum, the Sawyer Free Library and at the Cape Ann Art Haven on Main Street.
While the focus is clearly on art, the event, headed this year by GHS music teacher and Docksiders director David Adams, extends beyond that. After an 11:30 a.m. performance by the City Wide Elementary and O'Maley Middle School Band, for example, the 12:30 p.m. program at City Hall will spotlight the schools' robotics program — which will give residents a special look at one of the schools' most unique and creative student projects.
Many residents often gripe about school costs and grumble at where their tax money goes — and, frankly, many of those gripes can be legitimate.
But no one can question the importance of investing in education, and few residents other than school parents ever take the time or can get to our local schools to see the wonderfully diverse, hands-on programs those investments provide.
Saturday's festival offers the chance to do that. Check it out — you'll love what you see.
