Dear MCPASD Music Supporters,
Thank you for continuing to read, like, and share our emails & social media posts.
In this email, we have included some of the many fundamental reasons for District leaders to keep the 4th-grade orchestra. We’ve included why the 4th-grade orchestra is important for
Individual Students
Our School District
Our Community
*** Reminder to attend the April 25 meeting! ***
We want to pack the room with MCPASD music supporters and voters who want the Board to hear our voices! Speakers are welcomed and appreciated; however, your presence will also be your show of support!
***How losing 4th-grade orchestra affects individual students***
By cutting this introduction to studying a stringed instrument in 4th-grade, fewer students will find their "place" in peer groups, educational opportunities & experiences, and their school community.
4th-grade orchestra requires no financial or extracurricular commitment. Cutting the orchestra removes an opportunity to learn something new with their peers "on the same page."
Many students from diverse backgrounds join the 4th-grade orchestra as it is an exciting curricular class to join with peers. In 5th grade, students have more options and activities, pulling them in different directions. It will be more challenging to engage all families, and some students will miss out on the opportunity to realize they enjoy music or that they see themselves as a musician.
***How losing 4th-grade orchestra affects the entire music community***
The skills and experiences 4th-graders have in the orchestra transfer and prepare all students for music in middle school and beyond. However, if students don't get this opportunity until 5th grade, they are suddenly behind a year in their learning in ALL ensembles. This will eventually trickle up to the high school level, where some of the incredible experiences hundreds of students get to have may no longer be possible.
Many students from diverse backgrounds join the 4th-grade orchestra as it is an exciting curricular class to join with peers. In 5th grade, students have more options and activities, pulling them in different directions. It will be more challenging to engage all families, and some students will miss out on the opportunity to realize they enjoy music or that they see themselves as a musician.
We could lose ~ 60% of the students in the high school orchestra & many others in the music curriculum. There are currently 810 MCPASD orchestra students — the second-highest student enrollment for a co-curricular activity.
***How does cutting 4th-grade orchestra affect the greater community?***
Middleton prides itself on its education system, and we are widely known for the high-quality education students receive here. Families expect Middleton to offer students a wide variety of learning opportunities and curricular programs. Cutting 4th-grade orchestra, a growing and widely popular 4th-grade class, change this narrative. Many families are attracted to our district by the orchestra program. Even if their child doesn't join the orchestra, they see it as saying Middleton will offer unique opportunities that no one else nearby can. When faced with declining enrollment, we want to continue to attract those families.
When students cannot start in the orchestra program in elementary school, they may select other electives in Middle School and High School, which require more staffing and cost the District more money than it saves by cutting the 4th-grade orchestra!
What can we do?
BE HEARD! We must stress how important it is to email the District leaders & attend the meeting on April 25. They ARE listening. The fate of the 4th-grade orchestra program does hang in the balance, and it is only through community demand that we can save it.
Please read all of our communications via email and social media! We will frequently be sharing between now and April 25! We know it will be a lot, but it will be essential information.
Please save the date to attend the next Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 25 at 7 pm at Kromrey Middle School.
Please write a letter to our District leaders.
** When writing letters: To continue providing students with regular & quality instruction, please insist that the position remains a full-time position!
District Leaders
Dr. Dana Monogue: dmonogue@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Deputy Superintendent Sherri Cyra: scyra@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Director of Middle School Education Keith Schneider: kschneider@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Director of Elementary Education Marybeth Paulisse: mpaulisse@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Email all 9 Board of Education members at once: board@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Suggestions for your letter
Personal stories about how 4th-grade orchestra positively affected your child
How do you feel about the District administration making this decision without considering the long-term consequences?
Importance of music in the schools and community
Equity of the situation: The desire to have this opportunity for an equal playing field and introduction to the orchestra at a time in a student's life when it really matters.
We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
MHS Band & Orchestra Boosters