NAHANT — Thanks to a $1,400 grant from the Nahant Education Foundation, Johnson Elementary School was able to purchase new instruments and sheet music in order to expand the program for its students.
Music Teacher Jessica Puga connected with The Item where she expressed her gratitude toward the foundation, with the excitement to bring some new instruments and a deeper level of music education to her students.
“The majority of the grant is going towards new instruments the kids can use on a weekly basis. Things like drums, maracas, all those different kinds of percussion instruments,” Puga said. “We were also able to purchase a couple instruments for the band as well.”
Puga continued, saying that the other portion of funds went to purchasing sheet music that can be utilized for concerts such as the Veteran’s Day performance and the school’s holiday concert.
“The instruments I chose to purchase were to build on what we already have here,” she said. “That way, the kids can participate more with instruments at the same time rather than having to wait their turns.”
She noted that the goal is to make the program more engaging for kids. “I think it’ll help them create music in a way that they’re actually using new instruments, rather than just sitting and singing… It’s also going to help with their music literacy, as well as the chance to give students vocal lessons, which is something new to the school,” she said.
Puga explained what it means to be able to make a positive impact in the lives of her students.
“My favorite part is when we’re in class and I just see smiles on their faces. It just makes everything that I do worth it… It makes my job something really fantastic to do,” she said.
Principal Heather Castonguay said that Johnson School is “incredibly grateful to the Nahant Education Foundation for their generous support of our growing music program.”
“This grant will have a meaningful impact as we continue to strengthen music education for all students PreK-6. Under the leadership of our new music teacher, Jessica Puga, whose calm demeanor, creativity, and enthusiasm for both music and children are truly inspiring, our program has flourished already,” Castonguay said. “She nearly tripled our band membership and she recently launched a new vocal group, the LobSTARS. We are especially proud that the LobSTARS will make their debut performance at our upcoming Veterans Day Ceremony in honor of their service to our country.”
Castonguay continued, noting that music is “becoming a strong and positive focus within our school community, and with Jessica Puga’s support, our students will continue to grow, perform, and shine.”
