Sample Letters

Our impassioned community has, once again, successfully united to ensure that "Arts for All" remains a reality, and not just a dream.

On March 5, 2009, the Board of Education unanimously voted down the recommendation to lay off the 2 Elementary Music teachers and the 2 nurses.

Below are some of the letters that were sent to the Board of Ed prior to the March 5, 2009 meeting.

I have watched the progress of the SAMOHI band program.  What's interesting is that the lower level groups are now performing repertoire that just four or five years ago was reserved for the Wind Ensemble.  The Wind Ensemble is now performing college and professional level compositions, some of which are ridiculously difficult.

So what's changed?

The elementary music program.  Not only do all 4th and 5th graders participate, but more importantly, music is offered a year earlier via 3rd grade general music. 

Without these teachers, the program will have to be modified.  The impact will be felt all the way up to the internationally acclaimed, award winning high school groups.

Please consider this decision carefully.  The music program is one of the gems that makes SMMUSD more than just another school district.

The district has worked long and hard to bring its outstanding music program design to fruition.  It is finally right!  As a former elementary and junior high school teacher, and in my former life with the LA County HS for the Arts and the GRAMMY Foundation's education programs, it has become increasingly clear to me that success becomes much more attainable for students who begin sequential music instruction at the elementary level.  By the time they get to middle school, many students are intimidated about starting to learn how to read music and/or play an instrument, and will not even attempt it.  Numerous studies have indicated the benefits of beginning music studies at the elementary level when students are most open and have a positive attitude toward learning new skills. I believe that the reason that the SMMUSD music program is so successful is directly attributable to the fact that there is a sequential program starting in early grades.  By having regularly scheduled music classes that are not pull-out programs, classroom teacher support increases,contributing to the success of music students.

President Obama, the Rand Corporation and numerous state, local and federal reports and books have highlighted the importance of arts education starting at the elementary level.  From enhancing brain development in young people to developing lifelong skills such as discipline, creative thinking and team participation, elementary music instruction is crucial in helping to nurture the kinds of citizens that our country needs now more than ever.

Therefore, I urge the board to retain the exemplary elementary music program as it currently exists in grades 3-5.  Please do not undo the great strides that have finally been made to benefit our students after years of hard work.  Santa Monica currently  has one of the most outstanding music programs in any public school district.  I hope you will choose to support our students by keeping it that way.

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.

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.

Please keep funding elementary music education in Santa Monica schools!
 
There is such on emphasis on "scholastic" achievement now, that often the Arts get left behind.  I believe many children learn more through music than they would if learning always meant a text book and worksheets.  Skills such as patience, practice, teamwork, self-expression, not to mention fine motor skills are all reinforced through playing an instrument or singing.

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!