Newtown Schools Named "A Best Community" In Music Award

Newtown has been named as one of the top 176 communities for their excellence in music program by the NAMM Foundation.  These communities are recognized out of the 13,619 school districts in the United States (2009 Census Bureau Report statistic), according to a statement released by NAMM.

Director of Music, Michelle Hiscavitch,  Newtown Public Schools' Music Department, said,   “We have received wonderful letters of congratulations from Senator Lieberman and Senator Blumenthal and a Proclamation from Governor Malloy.”

According to Hiscavitch, this is the fourth time the school has received this recognition and the third year in a row.

Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation Executive Director, congratulated schools that continue to focus on education in the arts, especially in a time when so many schools are faced with financial constraints.

 “We know that communities are struggling to maintain funding for many education programs and we applaud these communities that remain committed to a complete and quality education that must include music and the arts,” Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation Executive Director, said.   “We urge communities to celebrate the designation as a national recognition for their commitment to children and most of all, keep the music playing in their schools for years to come.”

Luehrsen encouraged communities to use the designation as a cornerstone of vigorous advocacy for music education programs, especially at a time when programming may suffer due to budget constraints.