A powerful story about caring and citizenship has developed in the Kent School District. When school board members announced last week that lack of state funds would require them to cut (physical education) PE and music at all of the elementary schools. Teachers, parents and students reacted with anger, hurt and disbelief.
This amounts to a death blow to what has been an integral part of the curriculum and more importantly a deeply enjoyed part of every child’s daily academic nourishment.
Students at Grass Lake Elementary suggested educating the school board about the research that shows music is a powerful tool in developing every child’s potential for not only music making but also for reading, writing and especially mathematics. It’s important to know that great scientists like Einstein were also accomplished musicians. Do they know that students who study music and the arts score more points on the SAT for college in both verbal and math?
Another concerned fourth grade student from Covington Elementary School decided to take action over the weekend. Not wanting to face her school days next year without PE or music, she decided to hold a garage sale at her home. Monday morning she arrived at school and gave her classroom teacher 15 dollars to help out the school board members so they would not have to cut music or PE.
What a great example for the citizens of the state of Washington. What a great example for the school board in Kent. Without the necessary funding our future citizens will not be able to develop to the best of their potential. The state must prioritize funding for education and the Kent School Board must not seek a short term solution in place of what gives long term benefits for its students.
More information about music education is here www.youtube.com/watch?v=1njTXx47vHs.
Pat Deming
Grass Lake Elementary
Renton
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