Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Barkley Bridge Elementary’s Sock Hop. That’s probably one of the coolest events that I’ve seen at an elementary school.

In school, we obviously have to concentrate on the core classes of math, English/language, science, social studies, etc., but a student’s education won’t be complete if they don’t have an opportunity to learn about the arts.

This includes performing arts, visual arts, literature, culinary arts and media.

The sock hop touches on the performing arts, and as I can tell, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids. (As a side note, it probably would be fun for the kids if the teacher dance routine was brought back.)

It’s these kind of events that really enrich a student’s learning experience even more than just making good grades on the tests.

The Sock Hop is just one of many fun activities that all six schools do to promote parts of the arts. Other events include plays, art shows, concerts, etc.

If I start naming them all, I will forget one along the way.

But without the arts, education just isn’t complete.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.