Fine Arts
The Plainedge Music and Art program offers access to the rich education and understanding that the arts provide regardless of students’ background or talents.
Whether their interests are in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, General Music, Theory, Drama, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, or Graphic Arts, there is something that will allow them to learn, grow, and participate in the Arts experience.
What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do in the Arts:
- Communicate at a basic level in the four arts disciplines – music, visual arts, theatre, and dance. This includes knowledge and skills in the use of basic vocabularies, materials, tools, techniques, and intellectual methods of each art discipline.
- Communicate proficiently in at least one art form.
- Be able to develop and present basic analyses of works of art.
- Have an informed acquaintance with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical perspectives and a basic understanding of the historical development of the arts as a whole.
- Be able to relate various types of art knowledge and skills within and across arts disciplines.
The Plainedge Art Department builds the foundation for lifetime involvement and learning in the arts. Art classes are offered K-12 in a sequential study beginning in Kindergarten. Teachers engage students in the creation, appreciation, and analysis of art, fostering intellectual curiosity and creative expression. Our art teachers are certified by New York State in Art Education and serve in three elementary schools. One middle school and one high school. Our art staff are members of the Long Island Art Teachers Association.
Through participation in our Art program, our students:
- Experience a sequential program of art instruction that includes the study of art production, aesthetics, art criticism, and art history.
- Participate in both the joy and challenges of creating and self-expression through art by actively engaging in the processes of creating art.
- Acquire and develop the various art techniques, materials, equipment, and resources for participation in the production and analysis of works of art.
- Develop the sensitivity, visual discrimination, and judgment needed to respond to and analyze works of art.
- Develop an understanding of the cultural and historical forces that shape art through the ages and how the arts, in turn, shape the rich and diverse cultural contributions of a global society.
- Develop an awareness of the visual arts as they relate to art careers and related professions.
In addition, student involvement in the visual arts program is evident throughout the school community through our District Art shows at the New Community Center and building showcases.
Music Program Overview
Our music program provides our students with a sequential study of classroom and vocal music beginning in kindergarten. They learn the recorder in the third grade and begin formal band and orchestral instrumental training in the fourth grade. On the secondary level, our music curriculum encompasses several genres including concert, marching, and jazz bands; chorus; string and chamber orchestras; music theory; drama and musical productions. In recognition of their levels of quality, our ensembles have earned consistently high ratings at the NYSSMA Majors Festival. Our music teachers are certified by New York State in Music Education and serve students in three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Our staff specializes in either general/classroom music, band, orchestral or vocal music. Our music staff boasts one chairperson for the Long Island String Association and one All-County chairperson for the Nassau Music Educators Association.
New York State Learning Standards for Music and Art
- Standard 1: Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts
- Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources
- Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
- Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Dimensions and Contributions of the Arts
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🎓 We proudly celebrated the graduation of the Plainedge High School Class of 2026, honoring an exceptional group of students as they reached this remarkable milestone!
Valedictorian Leah Muldoon and Salutatorian Khloe Hong delivered inspiring speeches, encouraging their classmates to pursue their passions, remain true to themselves, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead with confidence and determination.
Principal Lauren Iocco, Board of Education President Joseph Beyrouty, and Interim Superintendent of Schools Ms. Carol Muscarella offered heartfelt congratulations and shared words of encouragement as the graduates embarked on their next chapter.
As the Class of 2026 begins this exciting new journey, we are confident they will continue to make a positive impact wherever life takes them. No matter where their paths lead, they will always be part of the Plainedge family!
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
#Weareplainedge #plainedgepride #community #classof2026 #together #plainedge
🎓 Congratulations to the Plainedge Middle School Class of 2026! 🎓
Today, we celebrated an incredible milestone as our graduates officially moved up to Plainedge High School. National Junior Honor Society President Vincent Cusumano reflected this remarkable class while encouraging his classmates to embrace the exciting opportunities ahead!
A special thank you to our Middle School Drama Club for their outstanding performance of “Finale” from Frozen Jr., which made the ceremony even more memorable.
The Plainedge Board of Education, administration, faculty, and staff are proud of all that this class has achieved and look forward to seeing the great things they will accomplish in high school and beyond.
To the Class of 2026: Believe in yourselves, continue to work hard, and never stop reaching for your goals. Your future is bright! ✨
If you missed today`s ceremony, you can watch the recording at Plainedge TV Live Stream.
#WeArePlainedge #PlainedgePride #MiddleSchoolGraduation #ClassOf2026 🎓❤️🖤
🎓 Congratulations to the 5th-grade students of Eastplain, Charles E. Schwarting, and John H. West Elementary Schools on reaching this important milestone and moving up to 6th grade!
As you prepare to begin your journey at Plainedge Middle School, take pride in all you have accomplished, the friendships you have built, and the knowledge you have gained along the way. Your teachers, families, and the entire Plainedge community are incredibly proud of you and excited to see all that you will achieve in the years ahead!
Embrace this next chapter with confidence, curiosity, and determination! Your future is bright, and your possibilities are endless.
Well done, and congratulations! 🎉
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #community #education #movingup
On behalf of the Board of Education and everyone in Central Administration, we wish you all a Happy Father’s Day!
Juneteenth - Schools will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026 and reopen Monday, June 22, 2026
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride
🎓✨ Our Pre-K students celebrated their Moving Up Ceremony with joyful songs, big smiles, and lots of excitement as they marked this special milestone on their journey to Kindergarten! We are so proud of all they have accomplished and can`t wait to welcome them to Kindergarten in the fall.
Families and community members can watch Plainedge Public Schools` Moving Up and Graduation ceremonies live at plainedgetv.com/live.
#WeArePlainedge #PlainedgePride #ClassOf2039 #MovingUpCeremony #PreKGraduation #FutureReady #PlainedgeSchools 🎓📚
🎶❤️ The Charles E. Schwarting Elementary School 5th Grade Choral Students visited their Bristal Buddies for a memorable morning filled with music, laughter, and celebration.
Our talented young performers delighted residents with their graduation song and a selection of contemporary favorites! Residents sang along and shared in the excitement!
#WeArePlainedge #PlainedgePride #BristalBuddies #CommunityConnections #MusicMatters #SchwartingElementary 🎵✨
Cheers, applause, and plenty of Plainedge Pride! Matty and Oscar took their final walk to the bus during a memorable clap-out celebration! Surrounded by the love and support of our school community, this clap-out celebration was a beautiful reminder of what makes Plainedge so special.
#WeArePlainedge #PlainedgePride #PlainedgeProud #BestBuddies #Community #Education #Family #SpecialEducation
🔔 One last bell.
📚 One last walk through the halls.
🎓 One unforgettable class.
Congratulations to the Plainedge High School Class of 2026! Your Plainedge family is cheering you on every step of the way!
#WeArePlainedge #PlainedgePride #ClassOf2026
Creating Our Beautiful World 🌎🎨
This week, our 9:1:3 students partnered with APE Peer Mentors and Best Buddies to bring a special mural project to life! Guided by artist Mr. Dinaro, students worked together to paint two vibrant panels celebrating the beauty, diversity, and wonder of our world.
The project showcased creativity, teamwork, inclusion, and friendship as students and staff collaborated to create a lasting piece of artwork that reflects the spirit of our school community.
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #community #education #together #united #art #ourworld
