Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Thank the SRC for Restoring Instrumental Music in Philly Schools

Public Citzens for Children and Youth (PCCY) is circulating a call for Philadelphia public education supporters to send a collective thank you letter to Dr. William J. Hite, Jr., and the School Reform Commission for restoring instrumental music programs in Philly public schools.

More details from PCCY:

GOOD NEWS: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC HAS BEEN RESTORED IN PHILA SCHOOL DISTRICT!

  • Will you sign onto the collective thank you letter to Dr. Hite and the School Reform Commission by 12 noon Wednesday July 31 by replying to gretchenelise@pccy.org with your name and, if appropriate, title and organizational affiliation?
  • Will you forward this email to your colleagues to do the same?

Details: on Friday July 26 the School Reform Commission voted to restore the Class Instrumental Music Program (CIMT) to the School District of Philadelphia, and restore all 76 positions that had been cut in the recent budget crisis (read more in the Inquirer here). Many teachers, community members, and arts organizations joined forces in advocacy efforts towards keeping the instrumental music program and the arts at schools. Thank you for your support in strengthening the arts for Philadelphia’s children and youth. Please see the letter below.

Best,
Gretchen Elise Walker, Director of Arts Education, Public Citizens for Children and Youth

SIGN-ON LETTTER TO THANK DR.HITE AND SRC FOR RESTORING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

July 31, 2013

Dear Superintendent Dr. William J. Hite, Jr., School Reform Commission Chairman Pedro A. Ramos and Commissioners  Joseph A. Dworetsky, Feather Houstoun, Wendell E.Pritchett and Sylvia P. Simms,  

As a diverse set of stakeholders and organizations in Philadelphia’s rich arts and education communities, we applaud your decision to restore instrumental music to schools in the School District of Philadelphia’s schools. Your decision recognizes that music --and the arts in general-- are essential core curricular areas that build academic, career and life skills, engage students and enrich school communities.  

We thank you for recognizing that the Class Instrumental Music Teachers Program will offer thousands of students the opportunity to excel, connecting  the District to Philadelphia’s continuing  legacy as an international leader in music and the arts.  

Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Public Citizens for Children and Youth
OTHER individuals and organizations……

 

Public Citzens for Children and Youth (PCCY) is circulating a call for Philadelphia public education supporters to send a collective thank you letter to Dr. William J. Hite, Jr., and the School Reform Commission for restoring instrumental music programs in Philly public schools.