Maintaining Art Education for Ridgefield Public Schools

Important to continue arts programs in Ridgefield...has impact on academic learning research says...

Once we start parsing out teacher roles like this it affects how our district is perceived. It will become very difficult to attract and retain the best teachers.

Please do not cut from the art program! Our kids, even as young as elementary school, are under such an enormous amount of academic pressure that they need these outlets more than ever before. Some kids only shine in non academic settings like this and taking any sort of billets away from art is a big mistake. In addition, how can the town think this is a good idea when we will be coming back from a pandemic? The focus should be on the social/emotional side of things... Not purely on academics and making cuts to the art program shows me that is not the district's priority, which is very disappointing.

Please do not deprive our children of comprehensive art and music programs. With the rigorous academic curriculum, children need to the opportunity to explore, create and problem solve in a low pressure environment. Art on elementary school provides a wonderful break in the schedule and an opportunity for all children to succeed. It’s a vital part of a comprehensive education.

Please don’t reduce any time our kids spend in art or music. I strongly believe its important for their development.

My girls would be very unhappy to possibly Lose Mrs. Hansen as their art teacher. It is not ok to cut arts in anyway. They should be just as important for their development as any other subject.

The arts are so important!! Please don’t skimp our kids on one of their favorite subjects!

Don't reduce the days students have art and increase the days they have music. Doesn't make sense. Now you have overloaded both music and art teachers and have taken away art from the kids.

Please keep the art program

Do not cut arts education!

Thank you for organizing!

I am highly opposed to ANY cuts at the classroom level. Lets cut PD and consultants!!! After this past year I think we can all say our teacher know their stuff!!

I can not believe your town is willing to cut such an amazing program. Our schools art teachers are outstanding. Art education is not a luxury, it is our future designers, architects, teachers to name a few. If this pandemic has taught us anything it has shown us the importance of art for children . It has allowed children whose lives have been turned upside down to create, explore and express themselves.

Art is the heart of childhood education

As an art teacher myself, this breaks my heart to hear! Our children deserve a well rounded education and that includes the visual arts.

Please see my emails sent to the BOE at large and Dr. Da Silva on May 24 & 27, which further elucidate my position.

The arts and music are essential to early education. It should not be cut, especially at elementary school level.

Art is incredibly inportant for our children. This shouldn't be seen as an area where cutting makes sense.

No art cuts!

Friends and neighbors of Ridgefield please help support a quality art program and sign this petition.