"A Touch Of Class 2013" PG County Schools Ballroom Dance Showcase

 This post is in behalf of the “A Touch of Class Ballroom Showcase, 2013”. Program Director, Lynette Truske, Choral Music Educator at Greenbelt Elementary School is hosting the Third Annual “A Touch of Class Ballroom Showcase” on February 10, 2013 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, at Ritchie Coliseum in College Park, MD . We invite you to participate as a sponsor or supporter of this event, which involves 11 Prince Georges County Elementary Schools and approximately 1000 students.

The initial program in 2011 involved 3 schools, in 2012 the program had grown to 9 schools and this year the program has grown in popularity and had expanded to 11 schools.  We are very excited about the growth, but we now find that we have outgrown our previous venue and need to support the requirements of our additional participating children. Proceeds of your sponsorship will support the increase in expenses due to the growth in the areas of venue and production costs so that we do not have to turn any of the schools away. 

Last year our showcase, in only its second year, attracted 432 program participants, maxed out our venue at over 700 attendees and raised in excess of $3,500. With your support this year, and the continuing support of our past sponsors, we feel confident we can achieve our goal of $10,000 to cover the expanded participation of our additional PG County schools.

Below is a Fact Sheet about the showcase, and a description of the various sponsorship opportunities and benefits. 

What is “A Touch of Class” ?

“A Touch of Class “ is an elementary school ballroom dance program that operates in Prince George’s County Public Schools and is directed by Lynette Truske. Teachers and volunteers at member schools are taught various ballroom dances, which they then teach to their students over a 10-week period. Each school’s program manager then selects six couples to showcase their skills at the final event where students are appraised by a panel judges and compete for the honor of bringing participation awards back to their school.

Mission:

The mission of "A Touch of Class" Ballroom Dance Program is to teach self-discipline, self-respect and respect for others through the physical discipline and rules of gender etiquette required in the art form of ballroom dancing.

Program History

The program was started in 2010 by Lynette Truske,  then a music teacher at Northview Elementary School in Bowie. She noticed that there was a serious problem with boys and girls teasing each other and generally treating one another disrespectfully. She decided that the best way to fix this problem would be to teach the children the art of ballroom dance, an art form that requires a great deal of respect between partners. 

“A Touch of Class”, as it came to be known, was modeled after the American Ballroom Theater's Dancing Classrooms program, made popular by the 2005 documentary Mad Hot Ballroom. A professional dance instructor  taught Ms. Truske and other volunteers dances like the Merengue, Tango, Waltz and Foxtrot. The volunteers, in turn, taught the dances to groups of fifth-graders. The students, after some initial resistance, greatly enjoyed the activity, and Ms. Truske noted that students treated each other with more respect after taking part in the program.

The program culminated in an interscholastic event where five elementary schools showcased their best dancers. The program was free, and parents and community members filled the Bowie Center for Performing Arts to watch the students perform. 

Click here to see a Youtube video from CTV News in Bowie, MD of last years program: 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/bW_YqLhap3A" 

When does the program operate?

“A Touch of Class” kicked off its 10-week run in late October and runs until mid-January. The two weeks before competition are set aside for individual instruction for the competing couples. The final showcase, which is open to the public takes place in early February.

Which elementary schools are participating in 2012-2013?

1.  Accokeek Academy 
2.   Berwyn Heights
3.   Carrollton
4.   Francis Scott Key
5.   Greenbelt
6.   Lamont
7.   Mount Rainier
8.   Northview
9.   Patuxent
10.   Whitehall
11.   William Beanes  

Which dances are taught this year?

• Merenque
• Foxtrot
• Tango
• Swing
• Cha Cha

How can you help?

Make a tax deductible gift at one of the following sponsor ship levels in the form of a check written directly to "Greenbelt Elementary School". 

In the memo line please put "PGCPS Ballroom Dance Program". Checks can be mailed to Greenbelt Elementary School, 66 Ridge Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770. ATTN: Lynette Truske, Program Director, A Touch of Class.

GOLD SPONSOR - $250.00

. 1/2 page listing in the event program

. Listing on the “A Touch of Class” website”

. Permission to display Sponsor signage at the event

. 6 complimentary tickets to the event

. 1 complimentary gift certificate from Lite on Your Feet Dance Studio

. Recognition for Gold level sponsorship during awards at event

SILVER SPONSOR - $150.00

. 1/4 page listing in the event program

. Listing on the  “A Touch of Class” website”

. Permission to display Sponsor signage at the event

. 4 complimentary tickets to the event

. Recognition for Silver level sponsorship during awards at event

BRONZE SPONSOR - $50.00

. Listing in the event program

. Listing on the “A Touch of Class” website

. Permission to display Sponsor signage at the event

. 2 complimentary tickets to the event

. Recognition for Bronze level sponsorship during awards at event

The program appreciates donations in any amount, in the form of a check written directly to "Greenbelt Elementary School" . In the memo line please put "PGCPS Ballroom Dance Program". Checks can be mailed to Greenbelt Elementary School, 66 Ridge Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770. ATTN: Lynette Truske, Program Director, A Touch of Class.

All contributors will be acknowledged as “Supporters” in the printed programs and announced during the showcase.

Purchase tickets to the showcase!

Tickets are  available now at $5.00 each. Please feel free to contact Lynette Truske at  lynette.truske@pgcps.org ,Stephanie Courtney at 410-913-0111, email cci200@comcast.net, or Michael Sims at 410-99-7713, email michael@liteonyourfeet.com for tickets. 

We are excited to have you partner with us!, This is a non-profit community event to benefit Prince Georges County school children, by exposing them to this art form. Your assistance will facilitate the success of the event. We truly appreciate and we thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.  

A Touch Of Class 2013,  Board Of Directors:

Lynette Truske - Program Director

Stephanie Courtney - Event Producer

Michael Sims - Artistic Director