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District

Arts

Arts

Central Valley School District offers a well-rounded education that is rich in the arts. It is the district’s belief that the arts help develop creative skills, enhancing a student’s ability to grasp and communicate complex ideas across all curricula. In other words, the arts improve student performance in all subjects, from language to math and science.

Students at Central Valley have the opportunity to participate in performing and visual arts as part of their school day, as well as after school. Below is a sample of the offerings:

Performance Arts

Vocal music begins in the elementary school and steadily increases in complexity and rigor through middle school. In the high school, vocal electives include chorus and select choir.

Instrumental music begins in late elementary school when students have the option to begin band and orchestra lessons. Students refine their skills throughout middle school and high school having the opportunity to participate in a wide range of ensembles.

Drama begins in elementary school through classroom presentations. Middle school and high school students can ultimately participate in the acclaimed CVA musicals, which have included Bye Bye Birdie, Phantom of the Opera and Shrek the Musical.

Visual Arts

Visual arts begin in elementary school with lessons designed to strengthen student creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills. Students refine their artistic skills throughout middle school with a wide variety of 2D and 3D projects. In high school, students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of classes to hone their artistic skills.

Performance Arts

The Central Valley Music Department strives for the highest possible level of performances with each of its performing groups. By participating in a performing ensemble, students will learn how to improve his or her singing/playing and be educated in a variety of musical styles through performance of various types of literature. Participation in a performing music group provides many long-term rewards that will benefit students including:

  • Life-long learning
  • Music appreciation
  • Self-expression and creativity
  • Self-discipline and work ethic
  • Self-worth, awareness and esteem
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Interdisciplinary learning
  • Artistic potential

Therefore, Central Valley Music Department’s main goal is to use music as a vehicle that will allow us to better prepare students for productive, enjoyable, and successful futures.

Visual Arts

A high quality arts education is essential to the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of every student. Therefore, Central Valley CSD will provide a broad range of innovative, inspiring, and relevant Arts Education offerings so all students learn to express their unique voice and shape a thriving Herkimer County community. Central Valley CSD will foster collaboration, creativity, and self expression through equitable, high quality, and sequential K-12 arts experiences, empowering all young people to strive for artistic and scholastic excellence.

  • Caitlin Christman

    CVA Visual Arts Teacher
    ccarlo@cvalleycsd.org

    I am Mrs Christman! I went to MVCC for 2 years then transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh for my Bachelors in Studio Art (2018), then went to Grand Canyon University online for my Masters in Education (2020). Due to COVID I was left alone to work on my certification to teach - it was a prolonged process due to the COVID restrictions and changes, but after some time, hard work, and supportive colleagues and friends, I was able to start my teaching journey.

    I recall my favorite art project back in the 2nd Grade where I got to do scratch-drawing of a bird and I believe that was the day I realized how amazing art and art class is. Since then, I would make art for fun, as gifts to others, and as commissioned work! Currently, I am a freelance artist - photographer, art vendor - and a tattoo artist on top of being a teacher. I have done art all my life - it is what I do!

    With how much I love and breathe art, I find greater joy in sharing my love for art and creations with students.

    Melissa Kirk

    Fisher Elementary Visual Arts Teacher
    mkirk@cvalleycsd.org

    Hello! Mrs. Kirk here and I am the Elementary Art teacher at Harry M. Fisher Elementary School. I earned my Bachelor’s of Fine Art from Green Mountain College before getting my Master’s of Teaching-Art from SUNY Oswego. In 2025,  I received the Regional Art Educator of the Year from the New York State Art Teacher’s Association.

    In the art classroom, Kindergarten and 1st grade are focused on building fine motor skills and learning about the Elements of Art, the basic building blocks of art. With our Pre-K artists, we focus on process over product, lots of play and exploration of materials. Students, regardless of their age, are taught citizenship and responsibility by following the process of creating art, then maintaining the art classroom/studio through cleaning their own mess, plus helping others when they can. We have a lot of fun learning and making together; Messy hands, big skills!

    Leslie Kubica

    BRE/Jarvis Visual Arts Teacher
    lkubica@cvalleycsd.org

    My name is Mrs. Kubica and I teach Visual Arts to the students at Barringer Road Elementary (grades 2-4) and Jarvis Middle School (grade 6). I have been an art maker since before I can remember and I am thrilled to be able to share this passion with the students in the Central Valley CSD. Outside of school, I hangout with my family and work as a freelance illustrator. I even have my own business illustrating children’s books called Leslie Kubica Illustration!  My favorite part of teaching is watching my students learn, communicate and express themselves through the Visual Arts.  I believe that the arts reflect the essence of life and I am honored to experience this with my students. I hope that as a teacher I will inspire my students to be the best version of themselves and am honored to teach every one of them, every single day! 

    Kyle Pumilio

    Jarvis Middle School Visual Arts Teacher
    kpumilio@cvalleycsd.org

    Kyle is a dedicated art educator with a passion for ceramics, creativity, and helping students discover their artistic potential. He holds a Master of Science in Education in Educational Technology from SUNY Oneonta and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from SUNY Potsdam. He also studied Art Education at Pratt Institute at MWPI in Utica.

    A New York State Permanent K–12 Art Teacher, Kyle brings extensive experience in ceramics, including hand building, wheel throwing, ceramic sculpture, glazing, and kiln firing. His teaching approach emphasizes individualized support, positive encouragement, creativity, and a welcoming studio environment where students feel comfortable exploring new ideas and techniques.

    Kyle has been actively involved in regional art exhibitions and community arts initiatives, including student art exhibitions, community art shows, and the Pratt 10-Year Anniversary Alumni Exhibition. His dedication to teaching was recognized with the Observer-Dispatch Amazing Teacher Award in 2019.

    Amy Roepnack

    CVA Visual Arts Teacher
    aroepnack@cvalleycsd.org

    I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts from Purchase College and Masters of Art in Teaching from SUNY Oswego and have been teaching art for 20 years. I am trained in a wide variety of art mediums and have had the pleasure to educate students ranging in ages from 3-80 in public education, higher education, and museum education settings. After years being an assistant professor at Herkimer College, I decided to return to teaching K-12 art.

    As an arts educator, I believe…

    •  Arts education nurtures the creativity and imagination of every student. These skills are necessary for critical thinking and problem solving.
    •  The arts bring people together in enriching experiences that provide positive recognition to the individual, the school, and the community.
    •  Arts infused curriculum provides the opportunity to combine physical, intellectual, and emotional skills encompassing multiple intelligences while encouraging diversity to achieve the most comprehensive education.
    •  Since the arts are integral to comprehensive education, opportunities must be available for K-12 students to access the arts, creating a life-long appreciation.

    At CVA, my hope is to educate and inspire Central Valley students to become lifelong learners of the arts. As the painter Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.”

     

     

  • Participation in Visual Arts provides many long-term rewards that will benefit students including:

    • developing aesthetic awareness, perception, and appreciation for the arts
    • strengthening historical and cultural understanding
    • enhancing creative abilities and imagination
    • supporting self-expression, self-esteem, and self-confidence
    • reinforcing self-discipline and work ethic skills
    • fostering collaboration and communication
    • creating Interdisciplinary learning

     

    Central Valley CSD strives to provide Visual Arts education in the following areas:

     

    Art History (Pre-K-4th Grade)

    • Gain an understanding of how artists use their imagination and creativity in combination with the world around them to develop their own artistic style
    • Gain an understanding of various artists and their artistic styles

     

    Art History (5th-12th Grade)

    • Recognize that art is a record of culture and history
    • Learn, identify, and compare the characteristics of artworks from various cultures and eras
    • Gain an understanding of how cultures have influenced the way artwork has been created throughout history
    • Identify works belonging to various cultures and places
    • Explore artistic techniques of famous artists in their own artwork
    • Describe art works in terms of historical and cultural contexts
    • Demonstrate understanding of art as a reflection of nature through the study of artists and art styles

     

    Artists and Cultural Diversity

    • Through the exploration of Art History, students will expand their knowledge for diverse cultures
    • Develop an understanding of their personal cultural interests and appreciation for the local state, region, and community</li>

     

    Aesthetics

    • Appreciate the importance of a work of art in relation to the historical and cultural
    • Express and share a variety of responses to specific artworks
    • Understand that artists create both functional and fine art
    • Know that human and cultural experiences influence art

     

    Elements of Art

    • Understanding the importance of Color, Line, Shape, Form, Value, Space, and Texture in art
    • Implement the elements of art in a variety of art projects
    • Identify the elements of art while looking at various artworks

     

    Principles of Design

    • Understanding the importance of Pattern, Contrast, Emphasis, Balance, Proportion, Variety, and Unity in art and design
    • Implement the principles of design in a variety of art projects
    • Identify the principles of design while looking at various artworks

     

    ​​​​​​​Production

    • Demonstrate understanding of how to use artist tools and materials in a safe and responsible manner
    • Apply, refine, and demonstrate skills and techniques in painting, drawing, 3-dimensional, clay, multimedia, collage, fiber art, printmaking, etc. that are appropriate for their grade level

  • At Central Valley, each art teacher will assess students in a variety of ways based on objectives, standards, skills, and techniques according to grade level.

    Students will:

    • Be evaluated during several hands-on activities and projects in order to ensure increasing growth artistic skills and knowledge of art history
    • Meet the NYS learning standards in the arts
    • Demonstrate the ability to follow directions
    • Successfully complete objectives

     

    NYS and National Arts Anchor Standards

    A chart outlining artistic processes and anchor standards, shared by all disciplines.

    See the full NYS Visual Art Standards specific to each grade level.

     

    A chart outlining four key areas of artistic learning: Creating, Performing/Presenting/Producing, Responding, and Connecting.

    See the full National Visual Art Standards specific to each grade level.