The Arts and IB at W and L

music, all the arts are seriously undervalued at W-L. Both my children opted out of the IB program for this reason. I'm so proud of them. Both also graduated from Ivy Leage schools on scholarships, just saying.

Music organizations in schools are essential communities and cannot be pushed aside to incorporate a new requirement. There is room in a well-rounded education program for arts, maths, social and lab sciences, and communication---there MUST be to ensure we are helping form the type of adults we want to eventually lead our world. Reconsider the arts cuts now!

Parent of 2 W-L band students and I’ve seen the benefits of Band, from a social and academic perspective as it allows for friendships and relationships that cross grades plus teaches not only musicality, but fosters executive functioning skills, organization and responsibility. Please allow our students to have choice in their classes when in the IB program to include these music classes as they offer important benefits that should not be taken from those choosing the IB diploma.

Students should be supported in their music interests and education as it is a core of VDOE. Allow student choice and individualized instruction.

I was a member of the music program, including a Madrigal my senior year...what a shame it would be to give up that program...it is surely needed today more than ever!

We are W-L alum parent of a W-L band student. This decision will shrink enrollment into fine arts curriculum, and curtain student creativity outlet as they prep for college level courses.

This should never happen!

Please don't make students give up music in high school. It's the best "Social Emotional Learning" opportunity available.

As a former student, and band alumni, it breaks my heart to hear this news. What a shame it would be to limit students ability to be a part of such a wonderful music program, with such a rich history. I certainly hope you will reconsider.

I'm an IB junior who had to stop taking Orchestra because of the IB program. I loved orchestra and was disappointed that I had to stop taking the class. I disagree with this policy. I've been told about the values of the arts by my teachers since elementary school, and this policy goes directly against that.

This makes absolutely no sense.

I would be very upset if I have to make my daughter choose between the IB diploma and her participation in school music programs. The schools already force her to choose either music or art instead of letting them do both. I would seriously consider her dropping the IB program if she is forced to drop orchestra for her final two years of high school.

Parent of a full IB junior (class of 2024). The whole point of IB is to encourage educated, well rounded children, and the arts are such an important part of that. Don't discourage motivated students from participating in band and the musical arts with such a short-sighted idea.

This would be an awful move and makes no sense

This is unfair

Our daughter was a full IB student (class of 2010) and one of the top members of the band and jazz band. Not being an athlete, and even though she did not major in music in college or graduate school, the music program at W-L was vital in her learning the value of teamwork and collaboration. This is a very shortsighted idea.

Making a change in course requirements in the middle of a student's tenure and asking them to choose between a program of academic distinction (IB) or maintaining their commitment to their chosen art form is short-sighted and harmful to kids. Nationally, we continue to see a rise in mental health issues for teenagers. Participating in arts organizations provides them with a sense of community and belonging. That should not come at the expense of pursuing academic rigor. Additionally, competitive colleges are all looking for students who excel in more than one discipline. Removing the opportunity to do both IB and band or orchestra will out these students at a competitive disadvantage in the challenging college application process. I urge you to reconsider this decision and restore the ability to pursue excellence in all its forms at Washington-Liberty High School.

This policy would be so harmful.

I have been doing band since 5th grade. From learning Saxophone to Bassoon. I have enjoyed the experience the whole way since. Music is important to me, and to see it just go away is really an insult. I am one of many section leaders in the W-L Band for the Bassoon section. I coached two students this year, including a student with autism. Both students looked up to me deeply, and always relied on me whenever they needed my help. It was an honor to be able to lead them and help in anyway. The student with autism that I coached loves band to death. The other student decided to stop doing band after this year, but not because of this new policy. We already have enough problems with the student numbers decreasing, and having this new policy will decrease our numbers even worse than when we came off of COVID in 2021. Also, our awesome and hard-working drum majors have worked their butts off to make us all feel comfortable in Marching Band, especially the new freshman. They have worked to bring the band back as best as it used to be prior to COVID. Having this new policy in place will be like throwing all the hard work that not just the drum majors have done for us, but this includes the section leaders that have also pitched in to help. Many of our students love music, and taking something away that they love really can depress some people. How would you like it if I took away something that you loved more than anything? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF I TOOK YOUR CHILD AWAY, AND YOU NEVER SAW THEM AGAIN?!! You people should honestly be ashamed of yourselves. The Music and Arts department is already struggling, and this new policy will make it worse.

I already signed once, but I wanted to add a comment. I have been doing band since 5th grade, and music has been something important to me. From first learning to play Saxophone, all the way to learning Bassoon. I am one of many section leaders in the W-L Band, and I help two students that currently play Bassoon, including a student with Autism. Both students have looked up to me for guidance, and have relied on me whenever they needed help. It has been a pleasure working with them the past couple years. My student with autism really loves band to death, and would love to keep doing it. The other student has decided to end band at his sophomore year. Future players will eventually need to become section leaders to be able to help other students. If there will even be a band afterwards, many newer students will not have any guidance from more experienced players. Also, our awesome and hard-working drum majors worked extra hard this year during the Marching Band season to make everyone feel comfortable and to have fun. We have been struggling to increase student numbers post-COVID. Having this unnecessary policy take place will end up decreasing the W-L Band even worse than when we started after COVID in 2021. When I am on winter break from college, I would like to return to watch the W-L Band perform at their winter concert, but what band would be performing, if there are no players? You people should honestly be ashamed of yourselves! How would you like it if I took something away from you that you loved? How would you like it if I took one of your kids away from you, and you never saw them again? Think about it. This is what is happening to us!