Update: NSHS Music Department to Cut More Programming
- by: Save the music programs at Newton South High School
- recipient: Newton residents who care about our schools, Newton, MA
Update: We weren't able to influence the change of schedule last year. However, this year the Department Head wants to cut programs. We must continue to fight for the Music Department at NSHS. We are asking for the full 2.7 teachers the music department needs to keep its programming and support our award-winning music program.
Please sign the petition and pass it along.
From last year:
The jazz department is suffering needlessly because of the recent changes in South's scheduling. If we don't do something about it, our kids will suffer as well.
All classes that used to meet twice per week (half time, all year) will now meet for a single semester (full time but for a half year). (This impacts ALL elective programs at NSHS--the music, art, theatre, ALL ELECTIVES).
Because of these changes, students will lose skills, concert budgets will be cut, District and All State competitions will be unavailable to second-semester students, student numbers will drop, student musical and social connections will be cut, and our teachers' ability to mentor young musicians will be seriously hurt.
There is a simple, cost-free solution here: an A/B Weeks schedule. (This is exactly like the Week 1/2 program that we've been using at South on Wednesdays.) The A/B Weeks system is currently running at Brown, and at many other districts across the state that did not want to see this new schedule negatively impact their music programs.
It would be foolish to allow the scheduling changes to degrade our valuable, beloved, and highly successful music (and arts) programs.
STOP: The proposed schedule.
START: A/B Weeks.
NOW: Write directly to Chris Hardiman: hardimanc@newton.k12.ma.us
David Fleishman: David_Fleishman@newton.k12.ma.us to say how much the music program (and all electives) mean to you and your children and that we demand they take action to ensure that our superlative music and arts education is not foolishly interrupted. (Additionally they are making budget cuts and have laid off an incredible music teacher).
P.S. For this petition to be valid it needs a local address--but it WILL NOT BE VISIBLE OR SHARED.
Last year you signed our petition and we were able to secure a teacher so that we could keep Jazz Combo!
Sadly, this year Newton has decided to cut its elementary school strings program. More information may be found here: https://www.savenewtonstrings.com/
I am reaching out to you again to see if you will consider signing the following petition:
http://bit.ly/3KrqaYX
Thank you for your time,
--Lisa
For more information please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/savenshsmusic/home
Email: schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us.
Please include your email address in the body or signature line of your message.
View the letter here: https://bit.ly/3wCzrVx
If you want to respond to the letter please send to: campoca@newton.k12.ma.us
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