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Our school district @sd61schools is looking to majorly cut music programs, particularly the elementary strings program and the middle school bands. I& #39;m devastated and angry.
I have three kids, one in each level of schools right now. My youngest hasn& #39;t had the chance to do the strings program yet, but having seen her brothers go through it, can& #39;t wait. She& #39;s been talking about it for two years now.
My middle child plays in four ensembles at his middle school: strings, grade 7 band, jazz, and the wind ensemble (the last is by audition). He now plays viola, sax, and clarinet because of the music programs.
He loves jazz, particularly early jazz. It speaks to him deeply and in a way that feels sacred. He has this because of the school music program. And over the pandemic, it has given him a focus, a purpose that the regular curriculum can not.
For my eldest, music is his life. This isn& #39;t hyperbole. And it is largely because of the amazing music teachers he had in his middle school that he& #39;s had the space and enthusiasm to find his way to it.
The last event we went to before the pandemic hit was the middle school concert. My middle played in two ensembles. My eldest played in four. But the most exciting part was the grade 8 band played a piece he composed. It was a march and he worked on it for months.
The band teacher was supportive and one of the two pieces the band played was my son& #39;s. I& #39;m tearing up remembering. It was thrilling. The music teachers at @centralspartan8 are more than just teachers. They inspire and challenge and support.
I once asked my eldest what would have happened if he had gone to a middle school without a music program. He said in all seriousness "I would have died." It was shocking, but I also believe it completely.
In a time where everyone feels vulnerable, and mental health is supposedly something important to the powers that be, I& #39;m disgusted that @sd61schools is considering cutting this program.
Children thrive when they find their thing. It& #39;s what gets them through the hard times of everything adolescence throws at them. To knowingly take that away from students is cruel.
The middle school my kids went/go/will go to is one of the largest in the district. Right now it has 2.5 full time music teachers. Every student takes music. Pre-pandemic, over 50% of the 600+ students are involved in at least one ensemble or choir. That& #39;s just one school.
Middle school is also when kids try things out. They try band, try sports, try clubs. They& #39;re figuring out who they are, what they like. Take away middle school bands and they will effectively wipe out high school bands, too. They can kiss music away in Victoria schools.
It& #39;s not an election year here, but this is an election issue for me. How the board votes on this will determine how I will vote for them in the future. What& #39;s your take @RobPaynterSD61, @ryanlpainter, @JordanWatters_ ?
