Stand up for District 44 music program

Did you know that Lombard Elementary District 44 has cut the general music middle school curriculum effective with the 2012-13 academic year? I found out about it before most parents. My child came home from school telling me she heard a rumor.

I confirmed it March 26 with a call to the district office. My concerns were student related — how will students take the news that the general music classes will be cut and that one of the casualties of this is their beloved music teacher?

I felt confident that district staff would minimize the impact of this news by getting the information out to parents in a timely manner. That did not happen. This past week my fear was realized ... more students at Glenn Westlake Middle School began hearing the “rumor” and reacting to it. As one can imagine, there was emotion and tears — due to the twofold loss of the program and the teacher.

Lombard has long been known for music — and music education. We will still have band and orchestra programs in the middle school and some music instruction in the grade schools. However without general music we will be missing an enriching portion of our children’s fine arts education. How sad that they will never have the opportunity to enjoy the general music offerings in the humanities program.

What does that say about our value of music education as a community, especially when there are state and federal standards on music education? Will our children be left behind? If you feel music is a necessary part of the curriculum, please have your voice heard at the District 44 board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 at Madison School.

Wendy L. Peca

Lombard