Clanton Elementary School will offer more art classes this fall and music for the first time in years.

The school has added a second art teacher and a music teacher. Funding for the teachers, along with supplies, will be in part from Title 1 funds.

“We had music years ago … we had to regroup, and now we are getting it back,” said Robin Cagle, vice principal.

First-year teacher Leah Hains will bring music back to Clanton Elementary.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Hains. “A full education is for the mind, body and soul. Music really is about the soul.”

Hains said her classes would focus on exposing students to instruments and different kinds of music. Students will attend music classes every other week.

With the addition of Jeannie Williamon, the school’s art department now has two teachers. Former kindergarten teacher Julie Harrison has taught art at CES for five years.

Students will now attend art every week, instead of twice a month.

“My goal is to promote the awareness of art in children,” said Harrison. “Tons of research and studies show students involved in art, music and drama do better academically than those who don’t.”

Except for band, Clanton’s other three schools don’t offer any music or art classes, Harrison said.

“It is very sad that this is the case,” Harrison said.

Preschoolers to second-graders attend CES. Being a Title 1 school, CES receives supplemental federal funding for the arts and more.