[Dhsbb-jazz] FW: Davis schools: expanded elementary music program

[tslabaugh at djusd.net]

Hi all,

We need your help! Can you contact members of the school board and DJUSD administration (see below) and help us get the addition of general music for elementary school students included in the offerings for next year? This will result in significantly improved music instruction for all Davis students and is a win-win for everyone!

Many thanks!

Mr. S



Greetings:

In the next few weeks the school board will make a couple of key decisions that could determine if the Davis elementary school will have a choral program for grades 4-6 and a general music program for 3rd graders.

Once decision is on whether to approve a proposal to spend one time money (called "LCAP funds") to have the program for the next school year, 2016-2017.  The other is a decision to have the program funded on an ongoing basis through the school parcel tax which comes up for a vote this November.  A favorable outcome on the second decision would begin funding for the following school year, 2017-2018.

I am asking you, as Davis residents and advocates for a well-rounded education in our schools, which includes music, please contact the school board members and tell them to support funding of elementary music in the schools.

The current school board trustees, with e-mail addresses, are

Madhavi Sunder, Board President: <mailto:msunder at djusd.net> msunder at djusd.net<mailto:msunder at djusd.net>
Barbara Archer, Board Vice-president:  <mailto:barcher at djusd.net> barcher at djusd.net<mailto:barcher at djusd.net>
Tom Adams: <mailto:tadams at djusd.net> tadams at djusd.net<mailto:tadams at djusd.net>
Susan Lovenburg:  <mailto:slovenburg at djusd.net> slovenburg at djusd.net<mailto:slovenburg at djusd.net>
Alan Fernandes:  <mailto:afernandes at djusd.net> afernandes at djusd.net<mailto:afernandes at djusd.net>

Two key district administrators who also can have strong input on this decision are

Kevin French, Superintendent of Davis JUSD:   <mailto:wroberson at djusd.net> kfrench at djusd.net<mailto:wroberson at djusd.net>
Clark Bryant, Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services,  <mailto:cbryant at djusd.net> cbryant at djusd.net<mailto:cbryant at djusd.net>

There is a template message below that you can work off of, but write as much as possible from your own words, perspectives, and experiences, if you can.

Please share this with any other community parents who would also like to see this program happen.

Please send your message as soon as possible to best guarantee that the board and administrators will move forward.

Thank you for your time and support!


sample e-mail message:

Dear [Board member],

The administration has the opportunity to fund Elementary General Music for all third graders and a pullout option for Elementary Choral Music for grades 4-6.  I would like to see such a program funded and implemented in our schools.  Many other schools in the Sacramento area already have these components in their curricula.

I value that our school actually meet state standards for music instruction, and I personally think such a program is important because:

[just a few reasons to consider]

--It provides access to music instruction for all regardless of income or academic ability

--I believe in well-rounded curricular instruction in all grade levels, including elementary grades

--Music instruction provides many cognitive and especially many non-cognitive benefits to developing children that are not readily available in other disciplines

--Our district should be able to set an example by having programs like this

Sincerely,

[your name]


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