Tuesday, May 28th, 9am Johnson-Williams Middle School
Meeting Attendees Dr. Michael Murphy Mr. Rick Catlett Dr. Jeffrey Jackson Mr. Evan Robb Dr. Lisa Floyd
Dr. Clyde Croswell Mrs. Jennifer Welliver Mr. & Mrs. Jerry & Jane Boyles Mrs. Michelle Graham Mrs. Martha Pool Mrs. Barbara McCauley
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OVERVIEW We understand and appreciate the pressures on the School Administration, Staff and School Board to work toward continued student achievement within the constraints of continually increasing costs, flat budgets and ever-changing state mandates. Thus, solutions are multi-faceted and constantly evolving. With Clarke’s school system experiencing a flat student population and some of the lowest class sizes in the state, it’s clear that quantity isn’t a realistic expectation for our small community. Our catalyst for success derives from quality.
SHORT-TERM: Organized appeal to School Administration/School Board, offering ideas/suggestions to strive to meet the middle school scheduling requirements and substantiate reversal of the decision to RIF (Reduction in Force) the Middle School Band Director position. Community support for the position is overwhelming—716 petition signatures with 268 comments since the May 1st launch and 274 followers on Facebook page since May 14th. Our commitment is being offered to assist School Administration in identifying the reasons behind low band enrollment and distinguishing viable solutions but we need to start with a constant, or baseline. -‐
Resubmit Schedule Sheets to rising 7th graders with jazz ensemble offered as an elective to determine an accurate count of interested students. Students with a scheduling conflict could opt to take after-school sessions 1-2x/week. BENEFIT: Strengthens the overall diversity of the middle school band program.
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
Save Clarke Music
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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Reverse RIF for Frances Stover: o
The heartfelt sentiments from the middle school band students at the spring concert solidifies that in her short tenure, Ms. Stover has made a positive impact on the music program and a proven commitment to our community.
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Young, creative mind that inspires her students to share her passion for music.
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Excellent role model to young minority students.
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Endorsed K-12 in music (combined capacity).
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Her second love: math. Complete math certification over the summer and assist middle school math department this fall? Her perspective of the natural symbiosis of mathematics and music could help students better comprehend applied math. ** Opportunity for Ms. Stover to spearhead a Pilot Program incorporating Academic Music at elementary school level (create a solid foundation for further math education)?** Music instructors at Allen Elementary School, a public school in San Bruno, CA have implemented Academic Music (based on Kodaly method of musical education) to their third-graders. The program first teaches students the basics on how to read notes. Then they learn how to add notes, which is essentially adding fractions. From there, they learn how to multiply fractions and add uncommon denominators. It’s all about visualization. And the Program is working. The average score of Academic Music students is nearly double that of students in regular math classes. And even low-performing students performed better. NPR: Fractions Curriculum Strikes Right Note in California by Caitlin Esch, April 6, 2012 http://www.npr.org/2012/04/07/150126658/fractions-curriculum-strikes-right-note-in-california Scientific American: Rhythm and Music Help Math Students by Sophie Bushwick, March 27, 2012 http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=rhythm-and-music-help-math-students12-03-27
Songsforteaching.com/mathsongs.htm – Website provides songs that coincide with math lessons (i.e., addition and subtraction songs, concepts of patterns, multiplication and division tables, songs to teach about money, measurement songs, and advanced math, such as algebra and geometry). -‐
Foreign languages offered as an elective subject in middle school (not mandatory class). For highest diploma, 3 years of one language or 2 years of 2 languages are required. Students, parents and advisors can help the student tailor their curriculum based on their individual interests. BENEFIT: Open up an elective.
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
Save Clarke Music
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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At the request of Dr. Croswell, the National Association for Music Education (NAME) has extended the offer to host a day of in-service music education development for Clarke County music educators at their Reston, VA headquarters to review the latest research, data, techniques, best practices, and solutions from other school systems similar to Clarke across the country and bring back other innovative ideas back to use in our own community.
LONG-TERM: “The reason why we feel in exile is we are in the wrong conversation” - Author unknown Join forces with individuals and groups that are committed to working on a positive, communitybased, enactive approach (i.e., swim team and Ag supporters, CCEF, etc.). Our community and our schools develop a holistic, collaborative, grassroots approach to creating a more effective and efficient system with innovative solutions that endorses subjective learning. Changing the way we think—and learn. -‐
Systemic review and assessment of viable alternatives
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Continuity for community relations
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Intelligent means of utilizing the voice of the community (i.e., unified campaign by community to request State mandate changes)
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Offer a means of community dialogue—validate the voice of the community
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
Save Clarke Music
Tuesday, May 28, 2013