Secretary of Education Richard Riley to Visit Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley will visit the Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven, 444 Orange St., on Thursday, March 19. His visit celebrates the partnerships between New Haven Public Schools and Yale University, especially the partnership between Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School and the Yale School of Music -YSM-.

Secretary Riley’s visit will include an assembly to which the media are invited. Please use the Orange St. entrance to the building. A press section will be reserved and a mult box will be provided. The Secretary will be available for questions at the conclusion of the assembly.

The assembly begins at 10:45 a.m. in the gymnasium and will include musical performances by Coop students and some of the YSM students who serve as their mentors. There will be brief remarks by Yale President Richard Levin, Music School Dean Robert Blocker, Mayor John DeStefano Jr., and Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo. Secretary Riley will deliver a keynote address.

YSM became involved with Coop High School in 1996. Through individual relationships and mentoring sessions, YSM students and faculty share their expertise and love of music with the high school musicians. YSM students teach private lessons, assist the instrumental music teachers, and work with academic subject teachers on integrating music into the curriculum. Classes with visiting artists and Yale faculty as well as tickets to concerts at the University are regular features of the program. YSM also runs professional development seminars on an integrated curriculum for the faculty of Coop High School and a music day camp for students during their February vacation.

Students at Coop High School come from many school districts in the Greater New Haven area and as far away as Litchfield and Fairfield.