[Grovenet] An Important Matter

[STEVE JERRETT]

As many of you are aware, high stakes testing has dominated the educational landscape over the last decade. School districts are pressured by  State and Federal bureaucratic entities far removed from the reality of the classroom.

This narrow pursuit of proficiency produces a very undesirable side-effect. Any subject not deemed important is relegated to second class status. The arts-music, drama, art-are all trampled by the "meeting the standard"  stampede. 

This scenario is playing out now in the Forest Grove School District. Test score are lagging at Tom McCall Middle School. Feeling the pressure, administrators are looking for reasons for  and solutions to the shortfall.  Administrative mind set, predictably, focuses on the arts as an easy "scapegoat."  Arts classes are traditionally viewed by many administrators as superficial and expendable. The case in point is no exception. Tom McCall Principal Al Rogers has proposed a plan to reduce the status of Band and Orchestra classes from their rightful place in the school curriculum to an after- school activity. 

I am posting the following letter on Greene because I know that many of you value a diversified educational system that values all endeavors. 


To: Music Performance Students, Parents and Friends of Music Education.
Re: A Call to Action
 
 
 
Dear Students, Parents and Friends:
 
 
I am writing this letter to inform you of a situation that could negatively impact the Forest Grove School District music program. District administrators are considering a plan to remove the Band and Orchestra classes from the regular school day at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School. This plan would reduce the status of music performance groups from their rightful place as a part of the school curriculum to an after school “activity.”  The implementation of this plan could negatively effect the quality our performance groups for years to come.
 
After 30 years of experience as a public school music educator, specifically as a director of performance groups, I can state with confidence that this move will have nothing but a detrimental effect on our performance groups. Reduced student participation in the elementary schools will impact the middle and high school programs for years. The effects of this plan can never be reversed. 
 
Also, if this plan becomes reality, it could have serious ramifications to the very survival of these valuable programs. If music performance groups are reduced in status to an after school activity, they will stand a much greater chance of being cut in financially hard times. It is imperative that this plan not be implemented.
 
Therefore, I am asking each and every one of you to take action to assure that this plan is not implemented.  Here are some actions that you can take to help assure that it is not:
 
Write a letter to, or email our Superintendent, Jack Musser, school board Chairwoman, Susan Winterbourne and Tom McCall Principal Al Rogers. Try to make sure the letter arrives before the April 9 meeting of the Board of Directors. Mailing and email addresses will follow this letter.
Attend the next meeting of our Board of Directors on Monday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Grove Room at the School District office. You can address the board regarding this issue at the beginning of the meeting during the “unscheduled public appearances.” Be sure to sign in before the meeting to assure yourself a spot on the agenda.
Give this letter to as many people you can between now and   the April 9 meeting. Nothing is more effective than large numbers of people to support a cause.    
 
In closing, I urge you to help assure that our music groups continue to thrive. Your support and involvement can make a difference. 
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Steve Jerrett
Parent, District Patron and Music Educator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Information:
 
Jack Musser
Superintendent of Schools
Forest Grove School District
1728 Main Street
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Phone: 503-359-2414
Email: jmusser at fgsd.k12.or.us
 
 
Susan Winterbourne
Chair, Board of Directors
Forest Grove School District
1728 Main Street
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Email: swinterbourne at fgsd.k12.or.us
 
 
Al Rogers
Principal, Tom McCall Upper Elementary School
1341 Pacific Avenue
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Email: arogers at fgsd.k12.or.us
 



Steve Jerrett
stevedj at teleport.com
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