When going to NYSSMA through a music class students have always received an honors credit in that class for going above and beyond to express their love for music. A letter was given to a senior recently (not sent home to parents as it should have been) saying that students of the CHS Music Department who receive honors credit in band, orchestra or chorus for going to NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) will no longer receive that credit every year. The teachers in the music department were never made aware of this rule change. NYSSMA is a formal assessment of student ability to perform a piece and read music. It takes a lot of preparation, hard work, and dedication. On top of that, the honors credits from past years will be taken away lowering the GPAs of many exceptional music students. This is not fair to the kids who have excelled at NYSSMA for many years now, and will now have their acceleration revoked and only put in for one year even if the student went to NYSSMA three years in a row. Also if the site is asking for donations they do not go to us, they go to the website! So do not feel obligated to give anything because the money in no way goes to the music department.

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