The Mt. Washington Elementary School PTA, in partnership with the Friends of Mt. Washington School, is on a mission to SAVE THE ARTS. But we need your help.
THE ISSUE:
The LAUSD Board of Education is voting THIS TUESDAY, 2/14 on eliminating arts programs at ALL public elementary schools. We must let the district know that this is unacceptable. PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education for every student at every school, in conjunction with a comprehensive, quality education. PTA believes that the arts are essential for a creative, engaged, thoughtful, work-prepared, fully educated and civic-minded student population. Visual and performing arts should be a basic and integral part of a balanced curriculum for all students. Arts education (i.e. VAPA, music, orchestra, etc.) cultivates the innovation, problem-solving and creativity skills necessary for the future. The California State Education Code states that the arts should be taught to every student. Section 51210 specifies that a required adopted course of study used by schools for grades 1-6 must include the visual and performing arts.
THE IMPACT:
Since MWE is a non-Title-I school, we faced these budget cuts years ago. Our School Site Council voted to direct a portion of discretionary funding to the current Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program (music, dance, drama, etc.); a supplementary arts education program on our campus. However, for next year we could potentially lose ALL ARTS PROGRAMS including ORCHESTRA, DANCE, DRAMA AND VOCAL (VAPA). Even with the parent support and funding that we are fortunate enough to experience at MWE, we may not even be provided the option to purchase any arts programs as we have in past years.
THE ACTION:
The PTA is calling for action of ALL parents. The Board of Education will be finalizing the 2012-2013 budget on Tuesday (2/14) at 1:00 pm. The meeting will be at 333 S. Beaudry Ave., Los Angeles, 90017. LAUSD School Board meetings are open to the public. Due to heavy media coverage and major issues within LAUSD, it is expected that this meeting will draw large crowds. We encourage our parents to attend this meeting. Those who can attend are advised to arrive early and plan to stay for several hours. Some schools are bringing children with them and/or hand written notes. Below are directions and parking is $6.
THE STEPS:
The PTA has been collaborating with the California Alliance for Arts Education, which consists of local arts advocacy groups that support the arts program in schools, and represent the voice of the parents and students. Arts4LA is our local advocacy group that has a letter ready to be sent to the Board of Education members, and to Superintendent, Dr. Deasy, urging them to preserve the arts program in our elementary schools.
Please take these steps:
1. Click on this address and email your board member (District 5): http://advocate.artsforla.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9435
2. Use the form letters from the link attached to fax our district leaders at: 213-241-8953 and 213-241-8442 for Dr. Deasy – BEFORE 10 a.m. on 2/14.
Bennett Kayser
District 5 Representative
Dr. John E. Deasy
Superintendent of Schools
3. Come to the school on Monday or Tuesday morning for more info. Have your kids make “Save the Arts” signs for our efforts to raise awareness.
4. Attend the School Board meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and sign-up to speak out.
It is imperative that we act on this quickly. Please forward this to your other parents, family and community members.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Thank you for your support.
Ariella Roberts,
PTA President
Mt. Washington Elementary School
everychild.onevoice
everychild.onevoice
