[Grovenet] An Important Matter

[Marian Cakarnis]

I'm just wondering what percentage of students participate in Band and
Orchestra at Tom McCall?  
Marian

-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of STEVE JERRETT
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:01 PM
To: grovenet at rdrop.com
Subject: [Grovenet] An Important Matter

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
EarthLink Revolves Around You.