NR-S School receives grant funds for music

In Senate Bill 2265, The 2019 N.D. Legislature offered $800,000 to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) for the purpose of providing Music Education Grants to school districts during the 2019-2021 biennium.

NDDPI allocated a portion of the $800,000 to 151 school districts throughout the state based on their average daily membership. New Rockford-Sheyenne received $2,160 through the program.

When Heather Klocke, elementary music instructor at NR-S, received the letter, she knew exactly what she would do with the funds. She made her request to NDDPI and purchased five xylophones for students to play.

Xylophones have become a favorite at elementary concerts in recent years. The students seem to enjoy taking their turn showcasing what they've learned in class by tapping a tune on these fun instruments. At the elementary concert on Thursday, Dec. 5, students performed on 16 xylophones. With wide smiles and bright eyes they would move from their spots on the risers to sit down at a xylophone and play.

The purpose of the grant was to study the effect music education has on students. Each school that received a grant must report outcomes, including how the district's investment in kindergarten through grade five music education impacted student behavior and mental health.

That report is due to NDDPI on or before June 30, 2021.