The district officially walked back the decision to cut the theater program today. This win belongs to every one of you who spoke up for the arts. Keep watching the board meetings to ensure they stay true to this commitment.
March 27, 2016
Final supporters
The Arts are our most direct form of expression. They offer us the opportunity to learn not only more about ourselves, but about the world around us. North High’s theater department has been successfully run by Mark Rixner for the past twelve and a half years. Rixner has dedicated much time and effort (and some would even argue sanity) in order to make NHS Theater Arts the best it can possibly be. The program often finds ways to involve the community by doing plays that allow students from feeder schools (such as Harding and Findley) to audition and perform alongside North’s very own students. Recently Rixner’s position as a full time instructor has been threatened to be cut down to part time as it has been deemed an “excess” by the administration. If he is demoted to part-time, the program itself will suffer immensely – and his current students along with it. Please sign this petition in support of the man who has strived to make North High Theater Arts as remarkable as it is today. Along with signing this petition, write a letter to the Des Moines Public School board to express your opinion on cutting the arts and attending the meeting on Tuesday (6PM) at 1800 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
Thank you for your support and spread the word,
North Side Community
Updates
February 7, 2016
We hit one thousand signatures today because people refuse to let them cut this program. Print a copy of your letter to the school board and drop it in the mail this afternoon. Text three neighbors to ask them to do the same.
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 7, 2016
February 5, 2016
We just hit 100 signatures to save our theater program. Post this link on Facebook right now and email the school board members to tell them why Mark Rixner matters to this community.
February 4, 2016
The administration remains silent despite our push but we are preparing our testimony for the board meeting. Write an email to your school board representative today demanding they keep the theater program fully funded. Post this link on your Facebook page to force the district to acknowledge the community support.
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2016
321 Comments
As a former North High thespian and musician and now current Des Moines Public School employee I am saddened by this news! The fine arts program at North High helped me to develop skills I have used in my career and is what inspired me to become an educator!
This is unacceptable at the high school level. North has a strong theater program and this would mean losing a significant number of opportunities for students. Theater classes are a key to confidence building, public speaking, creative and critical thinking skills.
This is my first year at North and I have been in play production and in a show with rixner , he personally has impacted me and is one of my favorite teachers . He always pushes my peers and I to work harder and to see him go would break my heart .
Two of my children attended NHS and also in drama through out 4 years of high school. They had the most advanced education in theater as Mr. Rixner for their teacher. Please continue this program and education for upcoming amazing talent.
Please do not cut this program because of the theatre department at North High School I was able to overcome shyness and become successful in business. The program gave me confidence and the ability to see that I could be independent
Mr. Rixner is wonderful and y'all probably aren't paying him enough.
I was a student of Mark Rixner's 2001,2006, and 2007. The arts are extremely important. I believe that having those electives keeps students engaged in their academics outside the home. I would highly suggest keeping that curriculum.
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The district officially walked back the decision to cut the theater program today. This win belongs to every one of you who spoke up for the arts. Keep watching the board meetings to ensure they stay true to this commitment.
March 27, 2016
Final supporters
The Arts are our most direct form of expression. They offer us the opportunity to learn not only more about ourselves, but about the world around us. North High’s theater department has been successfully run by Mark Rixner for the past twelve and a half years. Rixner has dedicated much time and effort (and some would even argue sanity) in order to make NHS Theater Arts the best it can possibly be. The program often finds ways to involve the community by doing plays that allow students from feeder schools (such as Harding and Findley) to audition and perform alongside North’s very own students. Recently Rixner’s position as a full time instructor has been threatened to be cut down to part time as it has been deemed an “excess” by the administration. If he is demoted to part-time, the program itself will suffer immensely – and his current students along with it. Please sign this petition in support of the man who has strived to make North High Theater Arts as remarkable as it is today. Along with signing this petition, write a letter to the Des Moines Public School board to express your opinion on cutting the arts and attending the meeting on Tuesday (6PM) at 1800 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
Thank you for your support and spread the word,
North Side Community
Updates
February 7, 2016
We hit one thousand signatures today because people refuse to let them cut this program. Print a copy of your letter to the school board and drop it in the mail this afternoon. Text three neighbors to ask them to do the same.
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 7, 2016
February 5, 2016
We just hit 100 signatures to save our theater program. Post this link on Facebook right now and email the school board members to tell them why Mark Rixner matters to this community.
February 4, 2016
The administration remains silent despite our push but we are preparing our testimony for the board meeting. Write an email to your school board representative today demanding they keep the theater program fully funded. Post this link on your Facebook page to force the district to acknowledge the community support.
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2016
321 Comments
All throughout highschool i was proud to be in drama class. Growing up a shy quiet girl theatre arts helped me build so much self esteem as i became more social. I became very passionate about this study and im sure MANY others students are as well.
As a former North High thespian and musician and now current Des Moines Public School employee I am saddened by this news! The fine arts program at North High helped me to develop skills I have used in my career and is what inspired me to become an educator!
This is unacceptable at the high school level. North has a strong theater program and this would mean losing a significant number of opportunities for students. Theater classes are a key to confidence building, public speaking, creative and critical thinking skills.
This is my first year at North and I have been in play production and in a show with rixner , he personally has impacted me and is one of my favorite teachers . He always pushes my peers and I to work harder and to see him go would break my heart .
Two of my children attended NHS and also in drama through out 4 years of high school. They had the most advanced education in theater as Mr. Rixner for their teacher. Please continue this program and education for upcoming amazing talent.
Please do not cut this program because of the theatre department at North High School I was able to overcome shyness and become successful in business. The program gave me confidence and the ability to see that I could be independent
Mr. Rixner is wonderful and y'all probably aren't paying him enough.
I was a student of Mark Rixner's 2001,2006, and 2007. The arts are extremely important. I believe that having those electives keeps students engaged in their academics outside the home. I would highly suggest keeping that curriculum.
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All throughout highschool i was proud to be in drama class. Growing up a shy quiet girl theatre arts helped me build so much self esteem as i became more social. I became very passionate about this study and im sure MANY others students are as well.