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Save Atlanta's Best Kept Secret - Jean Childs Young Middle School Band Program

177 Comments

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Bridgette Yancy
2 months ago

As a fellow music educator and band director, I strongly support the fine arts and I want to see this band program succeed!

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Carla Kinsey
2 months ago

The band program was one of the best things to happen to me in my life. Music helped me with math and the comradery helped shape my social awareness. Keep it going❣️

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Michelle Smith
2 months ago

If we really care about the kids education. We should want to make it school better for them not just physically but mentally too. So, they can strive for success and doscipline

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Dash Amanda Watts
2 months ago

I was in the band program at Young from ‘07 to ‘10. I was cultivated there, my skills were realized and not only were they honed, but also discipline that has opened so many doors for me. Countless excellent musicians and people were fostered in JCY’s band program. Students in the band program were most often the top of their classes; Mr. Jeffrey made sure of it. The negative effects of ending the band program at Jean Childs Young Middle School would reverberate not only throughout the community of Southwest Atlanta but also this country because of the profound impact its alumni have made. I am currently at Yale University conducting research into the healing properties of music, making real and positive individual and widespread impact. My success largely started in the band room at Jean Childs Young Middle School. The band program must remain open; for the sake of Southwest Atlanta and beyond.

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Dexter Wallace
2 months ago

This program was very important to me while in middle school

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Jamellena Jackson
2 months ago

Former student C’72. Also retired APS Music Teacher

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DVore Bray
2 months ago

Please save the arts program

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Felecia Martin
2 months ago

Music feeds the mind and adds value!

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Anonymous
2 months ago

This is and has always been a great and impactful school

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Sharon Jones
2 months ago

Fine Arts are essential to the success of our children. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity for our children.

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LaToya Daughtry
2 months ago

Save our kids by saving the music programs..

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Sydney King
2 months ago

WE NEED THE ARTS!! Our beautiful black babies deserve to shine! They need this avenue of discovery!

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David Townsend
2 months ago

Please keep the Arts alive

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Christine Parker
2 months ago

As a lifelong GA Educator and Retiree, at 79 I am disheartened that in 2026 we are having to yet fight the good fight for our students. There are countless researched-based data showing the positive brain development of the arts in student overall mental health. Even without the studies, just examining past exposure of living legends from our communities should be enough.

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Joya Brown Marshall
2 months ago

Band is more than just an extracurricular activity, it develops character, discipline and community. I sign this petition in support of continuing this program.

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Rasheeda Oneal
2 months ago Featured

I support this because I son will be coming to young very soon and I want him to have to same opportunities I had as a kid to be apart of something and band would be great for a kids like mines because he’s quiet and it would be a great way to met other kids or just for a outlet

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Alexandra McCrary
2 months ago

Save the band!!

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Jeffery Smith
2 months ago Featured

Jeans child’s young band is where I fell in love with music I was a alto saxophone player I would do it all over again from the trip to New York to the yearly performance at Greenbriar mall every Christmas truly was a real experience from Mr Jeffery the band director we had a great time just all around ‼️

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Blake Jimerson
2 months ago

Keep The Band! JCY!!!

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Brianne Turgeon
2 months ago

Students need to be able to express themselves and connect with one another outside of academics. Music and sports are the only places that students from all backgrounds learn cooperative skills, teamwork, and contribution of a team. Band is a part of the human experience, especially in Atlanta.