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We, in Winnetka, IL, support full time art & music teachers

We, in Winnetka, IL, support full time art & music teachers

210 signatures 40 to reach 250
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Started by Nancy Riddle 12 years, 5 months ago

We value a high quality fine arts program in Winnetka, and believe both music and art to be an essential part of the core curriculum for both lower school and middle school.

Due to declining enrollment across Winnetka’s school district, including at Hubbard Woods School, district leadership and our school board is considering changing staffing levels for both music and art. This may involve reducing the teaching staff for each of art and music to a part time position.

Art and music are core to our children’s education. These subjects need a full time teacher at each school, regardless of enrollment. Part time teaching positions are not sustainable and lead to the delivery of an inferior education for our kids. Further, as taxpayers in the district, we expect that our schools will receive the same resource allocation as the other primary schools – a full time teacher for each of the core curriculum subjects.We believe further analysis of the specials budget is needed.

The undersigned believe the administration and the board should not reduce the art and music program staffing below a full time position for each subject.

Updates

Reached 100 supporters

February 25, 2014

55 Comments

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Jennifer Greenow
12 years ago Featured

Even though this vote only appears to affect Hubbard Woods, it will have repercussions throughout the district. As a home owner in Crow Island area, I am concerned the Board will continue to make cuts and all D36 children will suffer.

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Leslie Graham
12 years ago Featured

For insight into the value of art in education, look at today's news of the gift from Hobson/Lucas to the University of Chicago Lab School for arts education. From Lucas: "We believe in the power of art to transform lives and communities." Let's find a creative solution to our D36 financial situation.

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Kathy Coleman
12 years ago Featured

My daughters attended Hubbard Woods School and are now College graduates. The arts and music programs were among the reasons that we chose to move to the district. Both daughters played instruments and one now has a career in the music industry, Please continue to support this vital part of our students education.

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Tim Marshall
12 years ago Featured

The music and arts programs at HWS should be left as they are. These programs are important for many kids who are not motivated by sports. These programs are part of what attracts families to move to Winnetka.

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Jennifer Feldman
12 years ago Featured

As a graduate of Hubbard Woods School and a teacher myself, I know that the music and arts programs are vital and not something to be shuffled to the sidelines because of budget. I hope that you will understand this and pay these teachers the respect and money they deserve for their hard work.

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Emily Marshall
12 years ago Featured

Music and Art are the highlights of our child's school week. The fact that Mr. Denien has 99% (if not 100%) participation in the 4th grade chorus speaks volumes about the community and enthusiasm he is building in these children's lives. Please keep the Art and Music teachers as full-time positions at Hubbard Woods.

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Dale Clevenger
12 years ago

Such short sightedness. Our country is already in a dearth of the Arts, Culture and the like and you want to cut even more. Shame on you all.

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Nancy Riddle · petition starter
12 years ago

We, The Committee for Option A to Retain Full-Time Fine Arts Teachers, have good news and bad news: The good news: Hubbard Woods Music teacher will retain his full-time status and remain at HW. The Greeley Art and Music will remain in their current positions full time. The bad news: Option C (cutting HW Art to .8 part-time position) was unanimously passed by the board. HW Art teacher, Julie McDonough, will be presented with her new part-time status. We are uncertain of her future at this time. We want to thank you all for your continued support regarding this issue, in helping in any way you can. We, as a community, demonstrated in a very short period of time, how we can organize. And through this, our teachers received a positive message that they are valued. The administrators and board of education are watching this petition/forum discussion. Please continue to post discussions as you are being heard. There is continued help needed with this cause. Please let one of us know if you are interested in helping. The Committee To Retain Full-Time Fine Arts Teachers: Nancy Riddle John Riddle Lowey Sichol Adam Sichol Kitty Westol Mark Westol Connie Capone Lee Ann Rechtin Mike Rechtin Monica Sofranko Jena Radnay Flannery Buchanan Erin Donaldson Clarke Caywood, concerned resident and taxpayer with no children currently in the K-8 system

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