Parents,Students,and supporters of the Arts!
We encourage you to attend the School board meeting this Thursday June 26,2025 at 630pm in the Administration building to voice your support.
THE SITUATION:
Administrators were willing to listen to suggestions from the music department regarding schedules, and there was a great deal we agreed upon. However, it still seems they believe the best thing for the district is to not hire someone for the elementary position. To do this, one of the middle school positions will be split between MCMS and East Derry Elementary school. Middle school general music will lose fully half of its current schedule, from 90 days down to 45. In its place, students will be receiving more study halls – 5 each cycle rather than 2. The district does hope that these study halls will be used for learning support, emotional support, and even extra choir lessons, which the administration feels will be a great benefit for the students. Much of this sounds very positive, and the school board will likely feel that there is no downside.
THE REQUEST:
We strongly feel that this is not what is best for the department or for the students. We are asking that you attend the School Board meeting on Thursday 6/26 at 6:30 at the administrative building at 201 Eighth Street in Lewistown. Anyone who shows up would be a great deal of help. However, if you choose to speak, we ask that you be respectful and speak briefly. They will limit each speaker to 5 minutes, and may ask for less, or for 1 or 2 people to represent everyone.
Here are some talking points you might consider:
1. Less educational time with students means less connection – a vital part of making education meaningful at any age, but especially at middle school.
2. Music supports learning in all subjects – students in music classes at various times can learn and apply concepts from ELA, math, social studies, science, physical education, and more.
3. Students who are unable to participate in the performing ensembles also deserve to have meaningful experiences in music.
4. The world of music is much wider than the scope that the performing ensembles can address, of necessity. Students gain a much broader knowledge of music from general music classes.
5. General music often feeds the performing ensembles. Just this year a number of 6th grade students who had not previously been in band or choir chose to join after their experiences in general music.
6. General music classes support and enhance the learning in the performing ensembles. Students are often able to make excellent connections between their learning in all classes, INCLUDING band and choir.
7. Increased time in study hall, even with the stipulations given by administrator, is extremely unlikely to be beneficial to students, and is even likely to be a detriment to overall behaviors in middle school.
if people can't attend, they can also email the board members to make their statement?
School Board Members | Mifflin County School District
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