Fighting for the West Genesee Dance Program Petition
This petition is to ask Chris Brown and the school board to overturn their decision to phase out the dance program within the next three years at West Genesee High School.
*We understand that Chris Brown wants to allocate the money to different programs. Why not expand the budget…130,000 dollars seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the 77 million dollar budget the district has for the 2014-2015 year. Why wasn't this problem with the dance program foreseen when the budget went up in March which was only 4 months ago? Most of the taxpayers are there to support this district in all its needs.
*Stanford University put out a study in 2010, which states that “dancing integrates several brain functions at once- kinesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional- further increasing your neural connectivity.” It does not only increase your neural functions, but it increases physical activity. The programs you want to replace dance with are sedative, rote activities.
*On Letsmove.com, Michele Obama’s physical education site, the amount of time a teen must be active during the day is 60 minutes. If a child is doing one gym class every other day, and goes home to sit in front of the computer or television, they are not achieving this goal. Dance class gives the student another chance at being active throughout the day.
*After a 21 year study, The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that taking part in leisurely activities, such as dance, gardening, and reading, can reduce the risk of dementia.
*Chris Brown stated that the school is moving away from dance to focus on other fine arts programs that will make the students employable and college ready. Many alumni have gone on to be employed as professional dancers. To name a few: Gabrielle Brigida, Stephanie Dattellas, Jake Casey, Greg Podolak, David Scarantino, Gabby Hanley-Mott, Caitlin Clark, Megan Bryant, etc. More than those names have gone on to take dance in college. The principles taught in a dance class- agility, patience, hard work, honoring deadlines, health, respect- are what is needed to succeed and have a happy life.
*West Genesee can utilize Common Core in the Dance Program. Several school districts have changed their dance program to fit within the structures of Common Core: https://sites.google.com/a/pitt.k12.nc.us/nphs-dance/nphs-dance-studio/common-core-and-dance
*Many programs go through highs and lows. If the program is going through a low, similar to band several years ago, why not advertise to elementary and middle school students? Why not make an enrollment and hype video? Why not do shows for the elementary and middle school children to show them the opportunities of the dance program in high school?
Please, sign the petition and show your support!
Updates
July 27, 2014
just saw we hit 500 signatures which is actually insane. i cant thank you enough for backing the dance program and showing the board that we really care about keeping these classes alive.
Reached 500 supporters
July 25, 2014
July 24, 2014
im still reading all the stories folks are leaving in the comments and it really shows why this program is so important. the silence from the school board is frustrating but we are going to keep pushing until they pay attention.
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2014
July 20, 2014
were getting really close to that 100 signature mark so thanks for keeping this momentum going. if you could send this link to a few people today we might hit that goal by tonight.
8 Comments
this is so sad. the girls love this class.
77 million and they cant find some cash for the dance studio? something is wrong with those numbers.
Sue, I wonder if something sent to Dr. Brown might help. A clarification maybe?
Okay, wait, what is going on? I think we can all agree that "Fine Arts" certainly includes dance. It is such an important medium of expression and artistry. Not to mention, a good source of exercise and socialization, etc. Dance is such an important part of other groups too - the musicals, the color guard....Who is the Fine Arts Director these days? I would be interested to hear their side of the story.
What does the school board think they are doing cutting dance? It keeps the kids active and off the couch. Keep it!
let the girls do what they want!!
If you have a question you should call and ask maybe!
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Fighting for the West Genesee Dance Program Petition
This petition is to ask Chris Brown and the school board to overturn their decision to phase out the dance program within the next three years at West Genesee High School.
*We understand that Chris Brown wants to allocate the money to different programs. Why not expand the budget…130,000 dollars seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the 77 million dollar budget the district has for the 2014-2015 year. Why wasn't this problem with the dance program foreseen when the budget went up in March which was only 4 months ago? Most of the taxpayers are there to support this district in all its needs.
*Stanford University put out a study in 2010, which states that “dancing integrates several brain functions at once- kinesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional- further increasing your neural connectivity.” It does not only increase your neural functions, but it increases physical activity. The programs you want to replace dance with are sedative, rote activities.
*On Letsmove.com, Michele Obama’s physical education site, the amount of time a teen must be active during the day is 60 minutes. If a child is doing one gym class every other day, and goes home to sit in front of the computer or television, they are not achieving this goal. Dance class gives the student another chance at being active throughout the day.
*After a 21 year study, The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that taking part in leisurely activities, such as dance, gardening, and reading, can reduce the risk of dementia.
*Chris Brown stated that the school is moving away from dance to focus on other fine arts programs that will make the students employable and college ready. Many alumni have gone on to be employed as professional dancers. To name a few: Gabrielle Brigida, Stephanie Dattellas, Jake Casey, Greg Podolak, David Scarantino, Gabby Hanley-Mott, Caitlin Clark, Megan Bryant, etc. More than those names have gone on to take dance in college. The principles taught in a dance class- agility, patience, hard work, honoring deadlines, health, respect- are what is needed to succeed and have a happy life.
*West Genesee can utilize Common Core in the Dance Program. Several school districts have changed their dance program to fit within the structures of Common Core: https://sites.google.com/a/pitt.k12.nc.us/nphs-dance/nphs-dance-studio/common-core-and-dance
*Many programs go through highs and lows. If the program is going through a low, similar to band several years ago, why not advertise to elementary and middle school students? Why not make an enrollment and hype video? Why not do shows for the elementary and middle school children to show them the opportunities of the dance program in high school?
Please, sign the petition and show your support!
Updates
July 27, 2014
just saw we hit 500 signatures which is actually insane. i cant thank you enough for backing the dance program and showing the board that we really care about keeping these classes alive.
Reached 500 supporters
July 25, 2014
July 24, 2014
im still reading all the stories folks are leaving in the comments and it really shows why this program is so important. the silence from the school board is frustrating but we are going to keep pushing until they pay attention.
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2014
July 20, 2014
were getting really close to that 100 signature mark so thanks for keeping this momentum going. if you could send this link to a few people today we might hit that goal by tonight.
8 Comments
Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous. My daughter works so hard in that class. Keep the program.
this is so sad. the girls love this class.
77 million and they cant find some cash for the dance studio? something is wrong with those numbers.
Sue, I wonder if something sent to Dr. Brown might help. A clarification maybe?
Okay, wait, what is going on? I think we can all agree that "Fine Arts" certainly includes dance. It is such an important medium of expression and artistry. Not to mention, a good source of exercise and socialization, etc. Dance is such an important part of other groups too - the musicals, the color guard....Who is the Fine Arts Director these days? I would be interested to hear their side of the story.
What does the school board think they are doing cutting dance? It keeps the kids active and off the couch. Keep it!
let the girls do what they want!!
If you have a question you should call and ask maybe!
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Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous. My daughter works so hard in that class. Keep the program.