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Proclamation recognizing the Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh program and the participating schools that qualified for the "Colors of the Rainbow" competition held on May 17, 2014.
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WHEREAS, Dancing Classrooms, launched in 1994 as a not-for-profit project of the American Ballroom Theater Company, is an international arts-in-education program that teaches ballroom dance and espouses respectful interaction, camaraderie, teamwork, dedication, self-esteem, and social awareness in students of participating schools; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Extra Mile Education Foundation, and the Urban League Charter School, facilitated the Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh program with funding from McAuley Ministries, Tobacco-Free Allegheny, the Sylvia and Martin Snow Foundation, the Grable Foundation, Jendoco Construction, Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, and the Pittsburgh Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, during the 2013-2014 school year, Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh reached over 1,500 students in Grades 5 and 8 at twenty-seven (27) public and private schools in Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, during the fall and winter semesters, Ms. Rozana Sweeney, Mr. Terry Sweeney, Ms. Gena Melago, Ms. Ashley Douglas, Ms. Jennifer Milligan, Ms. Jennifer Hoffman, and Ms. Kathy Moran worked hand-in-hand with school staff throughout the school year to deliver two lessons per week, using the Pierre Dulaine Method of teaching ballroom dancing and preparing the students for a culminating event at each school and a special competition among all participating schools; and
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2014, at Pittsburgh Taylor Allderdice High School, the "Colors of the Rainbow" competition will feature the following schools: Pittsburgh Brookline K-8, Pittsburgh Carmalt Pre-K-8, Pittsburgh Colfax K-8, Pittsburgh Dilworth Pre-K-5, Pittsburgh Linden K-5, Pittsburgh Miller K-5, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5, Pittsburgh Weil Pre-K-5, Pittsburgh West Liberty K-5, and Urban League Charter School;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council, on behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County, does hereby recognize and celebrate the important lessons that the Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh program promotes, thereby enhancing the quality of life in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.