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Foundation brings Muse Machine to Warner

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Gazette News Report

XENIA — The Xenia Community Schools Foundation (XCSF) recently awarded almost $1,700 in a grant for the “Muse Machine” initiative at Warner Middle School.

Heather Sage, Warner assistant principal, said the grant will purchase three of five in-school performances. All eighth grade students see the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s “Women Who Changed the World.”

“This performance connects students to the extraordinary trail-blazing women who reshaped American life, history and culture,” Sage said. “Through narration, song, contemporary dance and student participation, DCDC celebrates the women who campaigned for civil rights, entertained us, explored science and transformed our views of society.

In February, the Dayton Opera will present “Shakespeare Sings!” a lively program featuring excerpts from many musical favorites based on Shakespearian plays. Warner sixth-graders will see this performance, which includes musical styles from opera to Broadway and demonstrates operatic voices at their best. The performers are Dayton Opera artists in residence, chosen through national audition.

In March, Warner seventh graders will enjoy “Now Hear This: The Story of Sound.”

“Musicians Michael and Sandy Bashaw have joined forces with filmmaker David Sherman to create a live music and motion picture event unlike any other,” Sage said. “Through an array of instruments, colorful projections and plenty of student participation, ‘Now Hear This’ illustrates just how sound and music are created and experienced by all of us.”

This award and an $800 grant for the fourth and fifth grade interactive wax museum at McKinley Elementary School conclude final rounds of grants for the 2015-2016 school year. The foundation has awarded more $25,000 in grants this year.

The Xenia Community Schools Foundation awards represent grants to teachers and staff of the Xenia Community Schools. Any Xenia Community Schools’ staff or community member can apply to the foundation to fund special projects in classrooms. Projects are geared towards enriching student learning. Some applications represent district-wide initiatives. All the grants for Xenia Community School students and teachers are beyond what regular school funding can provide.

The grants awarded by the foundation would not be possible without the help of the community. This year’s fund-raisers have included the annual Hall of Honor dinner, induction ceremony and silent auction; a “fiesta” themed night out; and the Healthy Halloween Hustle 5K run/walk. Donations from the events help support the mission of the foundation in providing support to Xenia Community Schools.

Xenia Community Schools Foundation, formerly known as the Xenia Educational Endowment Fund, is an Ohio non-profit 501(C) (3) corporation. Gifts made to the XCSF qualify as tax deductible charitable contributions. For information about the XCSF, visit the website (xcsfoundation.com), Facebook (Xenia Community Schools Foundation) or call the Xenia Chamber of Commerce at 937-372-3591.

Gazette News Report compiled by Scott Halasz.