Maintaining Art Education for Ridgefield Public Schools

Arts should not be taking away from schools. I have a creative child who loves art and it would be disastrous to learning to take away a subject of interest.

How is this even a consideration?!

We need to stop trying to balance budgets with our art teachers, there are far better places to balance budgets

Art is not something to be cut due to budget restraints. Some kids need art as therapy. Some kids are more creative and find academics a struggle. As it is we don’t have shop class anymore in the HS. Art stimulates people’s interest in the trades.

Art rules!!!!

I believe art is an essential part of curriculum that children should be exposed to. If you were to reduce the amount of art children are exposed to, the quality of the work would suffer, art show might be reduced and some projects like clay. Thank you for your consideration.

If this period of quarantine and social distancing has show us anything, it has shown the importance of art and music as a way to reach each other. Reducing art education is a mistake.

Do NOT cut the Art program for these kids- this is critical to helping children’s brains process and think differently and helps all academic coursework

Save art!

Art is learning. Learning is art.

The students love going to Art and they do amazing projects with very talented and loved teachers.

Please do not make cuts to the art program at our elementary schools. This would be a mistake and is the wrong choice for the well being off our children.

Art is one of the most important Things to maintain for our kids!

Such an important aspect of education. Art, in any form, helps provide a more rounded, well balanced child.

Art is so important and not difficult to adjust to under these circumstances. Children need a way to express themselves more so than ever! Please don't diminish this important part of their education. They've lost so much already.

Art is important to creative thought

Art is an essential part of a child’s education. For some students, it’s the only place where they can shine. The educators are an important part of their experience. Keep them employed.

Excellence in Education includes the Arts. Art, music, and theatre, have always been part of the culture of our outstanding Ridgefield Public Schools. The art program enriches creativity in student learning in each school, with their own Art Teacher.

RPS currently spends ~15k per student. Alot of families plan to homeschool next year due to Covid. Before you start cutting programming, why not offer families the option to attend k-12 Academy through Florida Virtual Public School? Every child who signs up would save the district 10k. Stop cutting programmjng. Start getting creative and begin looking for ways to save elsewhere. Better yet, partner with K-12 academy and become the onlyntoen in CT who offers a free online public school to it's residents. People move here for the schools and our arts-centered community. What message does it send if we are cutting art programming and raising taxes?! Wake up! There is a win-win solution to be found here. You just have to be open-minded.

Art is just as important as any subject studied in school.... and for a lot of kids it is more important. It should be given the attention it deserves.