[Grovenet] An Important Matter

Wed Mar 28 13:32:21 PDT 2007

Allen,

Thanks for your input.

This proposal has been floating around for some time now. I didn't attend
the Board meeting, since I wasn't aware that it was a discussion topic. I
will be at the next meeting. I heard about it since it has been a topic of
discussion among high school performing arts students, of which two are
mine.

I know that Mr. Musser is a supporter of the performing arts, along with
some of the Board members. I am not sure, however, about Al Rogers. It
seems that such a proposal would not even be considered by someone
appreciative of how important these performance classes are to so many
individuals.  I am not sure if he understands the long term consequences of
such a move. I hope that it is a lack of understanding and not lack of
support for the program. 

Steve

> [Original Message]
> From: Allen Warren <osubuckeye59 at yahoo.com>
> To: <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Date: 3/28/2007 11:28:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
> Steve,
>
> Did you happen to attend the most recent school board meeting on Monday
evening, March 19th when this was discussed?  What I heard at the meeting
wasn't necessarily that anyone other than Al Rogers was hot on the trail of
moving the music program to become an after-school program.
>
> Jack Musser spent quite a bit of time explaining the overall predicament:
teachers continue to stress the need for more instruction time and
administration is looking at all opportunities to insure they give proper
instruction time to meet the "No Child Left Behind" mandated requirements. 
Musser tried very hard to convey the message that he absolutely supports
music instruction and that Al Roger's proposal is one of the options to
consider but certainly not the only option to consider.  Musser also made
the point that when budget cuts have been made in the past, at no time has
Forest Grove school system ever made cuts in any music program.  He
acknowledged the accolades Forest Grove has received for their music
program, and in particular the Strings Program.
>
> After listening to Mr. Musser and several Board members speak, and after
listening to Al Rogers speak, it became quite clear at least to me that Al
Rogers option was not necessarily the option that Musser and the Board
found appealing.  In fact I remember one Board member who very gently and
almost imperceptibly challenged Mr. Rogers for not considering any other
option *BUT* to change the music program instruction time.
>
> I have already sent an email to Mr. Musser, including options to consider
besides Mr. Roger's.  I've also offered my help in leading Mr. Musser and
the Board through a process of developing options and then selecting an
option that insures music instruction stays in the schools with the least
amount of disruption possible while also supporing the requirement for
schools to meet the Federal & State guidelines.
>  
> Allen Warren
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: STEVE JERRETT <stevedj at teleport.com>
> To: grovenet at rdrop.com
> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:01:25 PM
> 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.
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>  
>
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