American DanceWheels Foundation Presents – Better Together “We are all one, even if we feel worlds apart!” American DanceWheels Foundation’s Better Together assembly uses disability awareness and the beauty of dance to promote understanding, kindness, and respect for people of all abilities. The Show Meet the Performers: Students will be introduced to talented dance performers who will share their personal journeys of challenge and triumph. Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin Dance Performance: Students will watch wheelchair dance performances by dance couples made up of one seated and one standing partner who defy expectations while celebrating the beauty of diverse abilities. Interactive Q&A: Students will have an opportunity to make their voices heard during a question-and-answer segment, engaging directly with the performers and allowing for a deeper connection and understanding. Mini-Dance Lesson (when wheelchair available and class size permits): Participants will be invited to join a mini-dance lesson and experience the joy of movement from both seated and standing perspectives. This interactive dance lesson will help students understand how people can work together to create something beautiful and fun, if they are given the opportunity and tools to participate and learn. Better Together is not just a performance—it’s an opportunity for students to see beyond physical differences and appreciate the shared human spirit through dance. Book this transformative assembly to foster character development and cultivate a culture of inclusivity within your school.

We offer Theater and Arts Mini Camps where youth learn and develop skills such as acting, singing, dancing, script writing, and other various theatrical skills

Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (known familiarly as “the Bardavon'') is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters. The 928-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, among the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927. UPAC was merged into Bardavon's corporate structure in 2007. The Bardavon consistently presents the highest quality music, dance, theater, and classic films in both its venues. The Bardavon has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce outdoor events that draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually, providing free access to superb art as a source of community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism. The Bardavon Education Program partners with regional schools in offering unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative tools for teachers. The continued restoration and preservation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater is also a vital aspect of our mission.

Flame the band is a group of talented musicians supported by The Arc Lexington in Fulton County, NY who happen to have disabilities. They travel across the country spreading their message of hope and inspiration through their music. The band plays original music, and favorites across many genres from the 1950s-today.

We are a movement of second chances and self-worth through media content, music, school assembly programs and outreaches. Reminding people that it's NEVER too late for a CLEAN SLATE! You are WORTHY to "Rewrite Tomorrow

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner visits schools and libraries around the world to get kids excited about reading, research, and writing stories of their own. She offers large-group interactive assemblies focusing on the research and writing process behind her award-winning books as well as smaller-group writing workshops with a variety of focuses, from character and story development to mystery writing to researching and writing historical fiction and nonfiction. Kate is also a former middle school ELA teacher who earned National Board Certification in 2006 and provides staff development focused on engaging readers, teaching writing, and getting students excited about research and revision. She can be reached via the contact form on her website www.katemessner.com or by filling out her author appearance request form: https://forms.gle/nePpZY7on36gBozN9

City Dance NY offers many dance programs and residencies. We are a multicultural ballet company presenting Arts in Education for over 18 years in the NYC region. World Dance Assembly. We travel the world in a 45 minute program presenting dances from all continents. Our dance residency is a multi week offering in which students learn about dance as a communication tool and present their work in an assembly program. We present adaptations of story ballets such as Peter and the Wolf and Snow White.

The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) offers a variety of engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs as field trip experiences, virtually, or in-person (off-site) at your location. Each program features a miSci science communicator performing demonstrations and guiding hands-on experiments designed to excite and inform learners. We offer classes in Earth Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, Space, Engineering, Life Science. Our in person outreach classes are 45 minutes long, for up to 25 students in one session. We also have the capability to do the outreach classes as virtual classes in all these subjects. miSci has a Starlab (portable planetarium) that we can bring to a school, or area building to do up to 5 - thirty minute shows in one day. We also have star parties for naked eye viewing, weather permitting. We offer field trips which include a class, a planetarium show and time in the museum to explore. With suggestions from teachers we can adjust the topics in a planetarium show or for a different class topic if we are given a 3 week notice to make the adjustments.

A leading motivational speaker and author, I share stories and insights that have enabled me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss, framing the program around the importance of love, family, and forgiveness in our lives. Though I was in a wheelchair for four years, and can now walk pretty well, the journey has not been easy. Though physically bullied in school and rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! A positive attitude can help us celebrate our unique gifts while kindness and respect can help those gifts be revealed. Each program culminates in a powerful documentary video to demonstrate, by example, that we should always focus on our abilities. As a former special needs kid, I describe how optimism and confidence allows us to share an important life philosophy using three simple words: Yes I Can! Which is precisely the title of my published book, helping teen readers and parents overcome self-doubt when faced with tremendous challenges. DETAILS FOR GRADE SCHOOLS: Shorter 35-minute presentation for grades K-2 (focused on disability awareness, character education, kindness and respect, and the qualities of a superhero) followed by a longer 60-minute presentation for grades 3-5 (focused on anti-bullying, leadership, and resilience). Two assemblies maximum per day, preferably before lunch. To help with drive time and share travel expenses from my New Jersey home, I suggest programs at multiple schools on consecutive days. Please email me to establish initial contact, due to my hearing loss, or leave voicemail on my landline. Also open to an introductory Zoom meeting for a "meet-and-greet" and to answer your questions. ONLINE SPEAKER RESUME: www.JustTheWayYouAre.com/resume

This program is an energetic and challenging fun exercise class that is especially designed for Grades Pre K-12 and special needs students. Our programs are infused with mental health exercises to help boost confidence and working together to reach a higher goal. They will learn about the functionality of muscles through our exercise routines and physical activities. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.

Sasha Kahn offers author visits virtually or in-person for preschool and K-5th. Pre-K and K focus on readings and art activities and are 20-30 minutes. Author visits for grades 1-5 are 45-minute presentations or assemblies, including Q+A. Designed to inspire and invite children into the creative process, author visits provide a glimpse of Sasha’s path as an author/illustrator, how to turn an idea into a story, how the words and pictures move the story along, how a book gets made, and more. She offers two programs, one for grades 1-3 with an emphasis on story and one for grades 3 and up with an emphasis on STEM topics, research and revision.

We offer outreach programs, virtual classroom programs and museum tours. Our outreach programs bring the museum to your location. They are interactive and feature hands-on learning with art and artifacts from the museum and a craft or activity to take home. These programs meet NYS standards. Our virtual classroom programs also feature our art and artifacts but are presented virtually and are taught live with the option of student participation through classroom devices such as laptops or tablets. Our museums tours can vary from a self-guided free play tour to our Explore and Create and Explore and discover options, which feature a craft or cultural lesson.