Activities or Academics

At the most recent meeting that I attended, I enjoyed hearing many MMA members plea for the reinstatement of the fourth grade instrumental music program.  The timing of that issue seems to be of a great concern, since parents are less likely to enroll in a summer music program if there won’t be an instrumental program in the fall.  I must say I was impressed with a few of the comments people made regarding the need to consider the importance of priority setting. According to the board, it is a priority, and one that they need to act on quickly.

I particularly found the comment made by Maryann Post most appropriate, when she asked the BOE how they can even think of funding extra-curricular activities when the core content isn’t funded.  Her analogy of “feeding children dessert without given them a meal” couldn’t have been more eloquently stated. 

First of all, I would like to point out that it isn’t only the fourth grade instrumental program that is being cut from the core curriculum.  The elementary world language program is being eliminated as well, and that is also part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  From my understanding, most parents aren’t overly concerned with the loss of Spanish in K-5.  Perhaps that may be due to the fact that most students haven’t embraced this class like they have the music program throughout their educational experience.  I think some parents feel that their kids have learned as much from “Dora the Explorer” as they did in elementary Spanish.  Yet first- through third-grade after-school enrichment programs were offered on a pay-to-play basis and there was an interest generated in the schools. 

I must admit, I lack an understanding of how we can have core curriculum standards not being met, yet fund ECAs.  Believe me, I love going to the football games, and musicals and find a great deal of enjoyment and enthusiasm for these activities by the entire community.  I would never want to see these experiences taken away!  But yet, what do we owe our students?  Don’t we owe them an education that meets the academic standards first and foremost?  It was brought up in the same BOE meeting that we have an athletic director; we need a curriculum director.  I agree, we need a curriculum director even more.  What’s more, we need to ensure that the curriculum standards are being upheld and adhered to.  Academics come before Activities in the dictionary; it should also come first for the BOE as well. 

I’m sure there are a lot of strong feelings on both sides of this issue.  I really would love to hear what you all have to say.  Please share your comments!