We the people of Rocket City, are petitioning against the removal of day shows.

We need the day shows for the arts to be successful. It is the student’s dress rehearsal to prepare for the night show. The day shows are a great opportunity to show what the students have put into the shows, and it is how we advertise to get students to come to the night shows. For a lot of students this is their only exposure to the arts. The school promotes students to be involved and then punishes them by taking away the day performances for the musical, fall play, talent show, caroling, pops, the art show for advanced studentsetc.. Caroling has been a tradition at RP since the program started. The Tour of the Bands has also been cancelled, which recruits most of the intermediate school students. The art show is one of very few opportunities that students get to show what they have accomplishedthroughout theyear. These shows involve young children in the arts and give them something to work for in High school. Statistics show, students that are involved in school related activities perform better in school. Students with an arts rich education: Have better grade point averages, score better on standardized tests in reading and math and have lower dropout rates. Exposure to art education promotes self-directed learning, improves school attendance and sharpens critical and creative skills.

We demand you reinstall the day shows for the arts. Don’t punish the students that are involved and work so hard!

A formal essay written by students will be edited by faculty members and given to Mr. Beckman. There will also be a physical copy available at the school to sign.