Please include music for every child in the Seattle Public School curriculum. It may seem like a frill, but countless studies have shown that students involved in music programs do better in other academic areas, feel better about themselves, and are less likely to get in trouble. We also need to take the long view: If we do not expose today's children to the arts, how do we expect them to support the wonderful arts institutions that make Seattle such a great city?

 

Here's another thought: one band teacher can have, say, 100 students in one class. Very few other classes make such efficient use of one teacher. If that teacher is let go, those students are distributed out to four or five other classes, for which more teachers are required.

 

Music programs, drama, art, sports teams--these are all selling points for parents trying to decide which community to live in and where to put their children in school. Students participating in these programs are ambassadors for the school out in the community. They can generate a lot of good press for their school and for the district as a whole.

 

Please do everything you can to include arts for every child in the Seattle School District. Thank you.

 

Meighan Pritchard

Education and Chorale Coordinator

Seattle Symphony

Former elementary music teacher