Honoring and celebrating Henry H. Houston Elementary School on the occasion of its student-created album, "A Day in My Life," being placed on the first-round ballot for a Grammy Award nomination in the category of "Best Children's Album."

WHEREAS,

“A Day in My Life”

is an album of 16 original songs created by the students of Henry H. Houston Elementary School over the course of a yearlong, cross-curricular writing and music-making collaboration with the music nonprofit LiveConnections

; and

WHEREAS,

Houston Elementary, located in West Mt. Airy, is a neighborhood K-8 public school in the School District of Philadelphia known for strong academics and a top-tier music program

; and

WHEREAS, LiveConnections inspires learning and builds community through collaborative music-making, reaching 6,000 public school youth in Philadelphia annually with free, innovative music education programs; and

WHEREAS, The

“A Day in My Life”

project, which includes a 44-page companion book of poems and lyrics, was contributed to by each and every Houston student, in collaboration with Houston faculty and more than a dozen top professional music, dance, theater and poetry artists

; and

WHEREAS, The album was released on the Rural Lane Records label, which was established in 2011 by music teacher Ezechial Thurman, who led the project along with David Bradley and Andrew Lipke of LiveConnections; and

WHEREAS,

The consideration of

“A Day in My Life”

on a first-round Grammy ballot is a testament to the energy, passion and talent which was poured into the project by students and educators

; and

WHEREAS,

The project’s success also speaks to the power of the arts to motivate profound learning, creativity and critical thinking; showcases the strength and power of students’ social consciences; and demonstrates how much can be accomplished through strong community partnerships;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That Council does honor and celebrate

Henry H. Houston Elementary School on the occasion of its student-created album,

“A Day in My Life,”

being placed on the first-round ballot for a Grammy Award nomination in the category of “Best Children’s Album.”

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Henry H. Houston Elementary School, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

End