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Proclamation declaring Saturday, December 17, 2016 to be “Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh Day” in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh is a program of Mercy Community Health, a division of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) and part of Trinity Health, serving in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy; PMHS first introduced Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh to 300 fifth-grade children in the Pittsburgh Public Schools in September 2009. Since then, more than 4,000 children in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Extra Mile Education Foundation Schools in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and local charter schools have benefited from the renowned arts-in-education program; and
WHEREAS, in addition to teaching ballroom dancing, Dancing Classrooms teaches valuable lessons about respectful interaction, teamwork, dedication and camaraderie among students, parents, school staff and the community; and
WHEREAS, the curriculum enhances self-esteem, encourages self-dignity, appreciation of foreign cultures and the derivation of dance, helps students overcome social anxiety and results in increased courtesy and a noticeable gain in self-confidence; and
WHEREAS, over a ten-week period, Jennifer Hoffman, Hallie Leach, Gena Melago, Jennifer Milligan, Terry Sweeney and Melissa Truby worked hand-in-hand with school staff throughout the school year to deliver two lessons per week, using the Dulaine Method of teaching ballroom dancing and preparing the students for a culminating event to determine who will become the “Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh Grand Champions” for the 2016-2017 school year; and
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2016, at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, the “Colors of the Rainbow” competition will feature the following eleven schools: Pittsburgh Carmalt, Pittsburgh Colfax, Pittsburgh Dilworth, Environmental Charter School, Pittsburgh Langley, Pittsburgh Liberty, Pittsburgh Lincoln, Pittsburgh Phillips, Pittsburgh Weil, Pittsburgh Whittier, and Urban Academy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby declare Saturday, December 17, 2016 to be “Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh Day” in Allegheny County and encourages all citizens of Allegheny County to observe this day, along with the students of the Pittsburgh schools, as a time to recognize and celebrate the important lessons that this program promotes.