Robert H. Jackson Elementary School Music Teacher, and Music Club Adviser Drew Minton recently speaks to the Frewsburg Central School District Board of Education. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

FREWSBURG – With two new extracurricular clubs recently approved by the Frewsburg Central School District Board of Education, for the 2026-27 school year, students now can hone their art and music skills.

Robert H. Jackson Elementary School Music Teacher Drew Minton will serve as the advisor for the music club.

“If we could get together once a week or once every six days after school, that’s the plan,” Minton said.

Minton added that the club can help students prepare for All County band, and the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) solo competitions. Also the club would not begin until after the fall musical was completed at RJH School.

Minton noted that music state education standards mirror English Language Arts standards and math standards. When mirroring ELA, students learn rhythm, patterns, reading, critically listening and reflection. When mirroring math, students learn note value and hierarchy, division, interval, and the science of sound.

Minton also said there is a diversity, equity and inclusion with the club. Students are exposed to diverse music, composers, and culture.

Students also will have agency and voice with input in decisions and the sharing of ideas. He said the club is where students can find their interests, and others that share those specific interests.

“In most cases, music’s a reduction of anxiety and stress,” Minton said. “And so it’s good to teach them that skill, to get that there for them after school, to decompress for a day.”

The board also heard from high school art teacher and adviser Lindsey Vitello on the creation of an art club.

“Just like music, the arts are obviously very much a part of building a whole child,” recently said to board members.

FCS Senior Cassie Launier echoed Vitello’s thoughts and said the club was created to create. It also gives opportunities to students to help their community.

“We want to give a safe space for kids to be creative, free, just a place where they can come and show their creative side and really get in depth with just their feelings and what they want to do, (and) what they want to create,” Launier said.