Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susie Pickering

Oak Lane Day School

137 Stenton Ave, Blue Bell, PA 19422

Phone: 610-825-1055

Fax: 610-825-9288

Email: spickering@oaklanedayschool.org

Fourth Grade Drama Residency: Pirates!

Oak Lane Day School is known for encouraging strong self-expression among its students. Artwork is proudly displayed throughout the school, writing workshop publishing parties are regular occurrences, and, beginning in the Fourth Grade, all students learn to play the recorder. Children interested in the stage with a talent for acting also have the opportunity to shine. Each year, Oak Lane Fourth Graders undertake a Drama Residency. Under the direction of Sixth Grade teacher Martha Butler, this year's Fourth Graders studied the arts of stage craft and creating a character by using the hallmark tools of acting: one's voice, body, and imagination.              

During the Residency, the students become immersed in the project's theme. This year: pirates! The students did extensive background research to help them to create authentic characters and scenes. Facts and legends were explored and incorporated into choreographed and improvisational pieces. While developing one such piece, an improvisation of the infamous practice of pirates forcing their enemies to “walk the plank,” the students learned that this well-known pirate lore was the creation of the artist Howard Pyle and not an actual part of pirate life. During an assembly with dramatic music and a backdrop depicting a treasure map to help set the scene, the Fourth Graders transformed themselves into some of the most famous pirates in history and told their stories with verve, delighting their teachers and parents and inspiring younger students and future Fourth Graders of Oak Lane.         

At Oak Lane Day School, the program allows children to find their own voices and means of expression and provides ample opportunities for them to explore their talents through hands-on activities. In turn, the school is enriched and enhanced by the enthusiasm and excitement, which these experiences stimulate in the children.   

Oak Lane Day School Information

An independent elementary school, founded in 1916 and located in Blue Bell, Oak Lane Day School serves a diverse population of boys and girls. Oak Lane honors each child's unique individuality while fostering intellectual, creative, academic, and personal growth within a diverse community of active, engaged learners. Small class sizes and an atmosphere that encourages children to develop their academic and social skills are priorities at Oak Lane, where learning is a meaningful and joyous pursuit. Oak Lane's country-like property of 30 acres along Butler Pike and Stenton Avenue boasts a stream, pond, woods, meadows, and specimen trees as well as athletic fields and playgrounds.

Oak Lane Day School is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS).