Sample Letters

Please make sure Board members
receive your letter by March 4, 2009

Using the form provided (originally linked to index page/anchor to form notes) will ensure that your message will be forwarded to all Board members and the Superintendent.  You can copy and paste the text from the samples provided below, or create your own message.  Please read the notes regarding acceptable form content. (originally linked to index page/anchor to form notes)

If it's at all possible, please attend the March 5, 2009 Board meeting and express your concerns there as well. Not sure what to say?  Click here for some ideas (originally linked to talking points).  You will also find a wealth of information in Related Links.

SMMUSD Board of Education Meeting
Malibu City Hall,
23815 Stuart Ranch Road
Malibu, CA  90265
click here for map and directions

click here to view the agenda

Sample letter 1

Dear members of the SMMUSD Board of Education,

Arts education is an essential element of the core curriculum for grades K-12. Currently, 100% of the district’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students receive music instruction from credentialed music teachers.

I strongly urge the Board to maintain current funding for Elementary Music, which forms the foundation of the district wide music program.

The music program in this school district is nationally renowned and has always been a source of pride to the community.

[Add your own thoughts about your child's or your own experiences.]

Support music education! Students eagerly look forward to going to school when they know they'll be making music together. It's one of the things that defines our "World Class" SMMUSD schools.

Your signature

Sample Letter 2

SMMUSD has an internationally recognized music program. Much of this can be attributed to the import we give to early music education via the elementary music program.

Some of you remember how hard we worked back in the mid 90s to keep our elementary music program afloat. Times were difficult then; but we found a way -- not only to preserve what we had, but to facilitate step-by-step enhancements until Music for All became a reality.

We know that you as a board support the arts, and we know that you will not let the students down!

Your Signature

Sample Letter 3

93% of Americans consider the arts to be vital to providing a well-rounded education. Parents and teachers know that the arts help students succeed. Studies demonstrate that access to arts education increases student engagement in learning, decreases truancy and drop-out rates, and helps students develop skills such as effective communication, critical and innovative thinking, cooperation and flexibility. These are essential to California's economic future, as one in five jobs in the state will soon be related to the creative industries.

As of January 2006, 11,464 people were employed in 1,634 arts-related businesses in Santa Monica. According to an August 2006 phone survey, 43% of Santa Monica residents said that they work in the arts for part or all of their living.

Our local officials have many difficult choices ahead of them. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District school board meetings on March 4th in Santa Monica and March 5th in Malibu may well decide the future of arts education in our district. If you support arts education, tell your school district leaders to provide a complete and well-rounded education for every child -- an education which includes access to a quality education in the arts. 

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