Manheim Township /townlively
NOVEMBER 18, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXVI • NO 28
we are so thankful for our readers and the local businesses and organizations that help to make our communities thrive
Encouraging Artistic Endeavors BY ANN MEAD ASH
WAN (Scaling Walls A Note at a Time) is a free one-hour after-school music program provided to School District of Lancaster (SDoL) students ages 6 to 18. The organization currently offers music lessons through 12 SDoL schools and at the Youth Intervention Center (YIC). SWAN is a nonprofit organization specifically serving children affected by parental incarceration. SWAN founder and executive director Diana Vuolo noted that the program benefits the students in several ways. “Music is not only fun but research underscores it as one of the finest disciplines to help a child succeed,” she said. When COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in March, SWAN classes ended, and spring concerts were canceled. “The music stopped,” said Vuolo, adding that lessons can only resume when it is deemed safe for teachers to return. Hoping to provide a musical outlet for students until in-person classes could be held, SWAN quickly created instructional videos that were posted on YouTube and provided to SDoL for students to access, but Vuolo reported SWAN was not happy with the results. “We did not see them interacting with those videos,” she recalled. To engage students in lessons again, SWAN began enrolling students for individual lessons on Zoom. “That’s when we discovered how few
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actually had access to the internet and devices,” said Vuolo. Still determined to reach more children, SWAN teachers began working with the small percentage of children who could be reached via Zoom, expanding to offer violin, keyboard, and guitar online. “The lessons went beautifully,” reported Vuolo. “The students really enjoyed having interaction with their teachers and were able to learn quickly.” In August, when SDoL opted to open school in an online format, SWAN learned that the district would allow SWAN students to use the school-provided internet devices with a link to Zoom to connect. “More children could receive music lessons again,” said Vuolo, who added that each week the organization has worked to expand student enrollment. “We still have a way to go before every child can have weekly lessons,” said Vuolo recently. School District of Lancaster students take part in virtual music As SWAN program director, lessons provided by SWAN, a nonprofit organization serving Brooke Beazley monitors each children affected by parental incarceration. private Zoom lesson. “I see how beneficial the Zoom lessons have been,” said Beazley. “Every stustudents are developing important faces always brighten.” dent is making progress and life skills that they can bring to On Friday, Nov. 20, SWAN will improving their ability to focus, lis- their academics and other aspects take part in the Extraordinary Give ten, and communicate. They are of their lives.” (ExtraGive) hosted by the Lancastdeveloping patience as they learn Terri Glick, who is a counselor er County Community Foundation to play their instruments, and they at Buchanan Elementary, shared (LCCF). The 24-hour event will have been practicing and attending that SWAN has been beneficial to begin at 12:00:01 a.m. on Friday, lessons diligently. The lesson is a SDoL students. “I am thrilled that Nov. 20. Individuals may make stress-free and fun experience.” In Zoom lessons are being offered,” donations via credit card to addition to providing students with she said. “(The program) has participating nonprofits at a stress release, Beazley noted the allowed students to tap into their www.extragive.org. sense of pride a student feels when creative abilities while attending Readers who would like to learn a teacher acknowledges their school virtually. When I ask the more about SWAN may visit progress. “Through music, our students about their lessons their www.swan4kids.org.
UP TO
BY DAYNA M. REIDENOUER
In a year when nonprofit organizations experienced significant losses of income opportunities, the Extraordinary Give (ExtraGive) hosted by the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) is of particular importance. For 24 hours, beginning at 12:00:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, individuals may make donations via credit card to participating nonprofits at www.extragive.org. To inspire generous donations, LCCF has solicited sponsors for more than $500,000 in matching funds and other prizes. “Every year we have a stretch goal. That allows people to ‘give extra,’” explained LCCF communications See ExtraGive pg 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Holiday Dinner Giveaway Slated . . . . . . . .3
Shakespeare Classic To Play At LCHS . . . . . . . .4
House Of Worship . . . . . . .8
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9
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SWAN Benefits Students Electronically
“ExtraGive” Is Extraordinarily Important