Letter - Keep art and music options intact

To the editor:

Many of you may be aware of the proposal to change the schedule for incoming 7th and 8th graders at Discovery from a seven-period day to a six-period day in order to save dollars. The ramifications of this change are huge for our young people. In 7th grade, a student will be forced to choose between art and music and in 8th, between music or computers. In the past, a student would receive instruction in all these areas. Each of these disciplines is important for the development of a child. The incredible music we have in this district including terrific orchestras, choirs, and bands, will be threatened if action is not taken to express concern to our school board (schoolboard@alexandria.k12.mn.us ), Superintendent Terry Quist (tquist@alexandria.k12.mn.us) and/or to Matt Aker (maker@alexandria.k12.mn.us), the principal of the junior high. Art and music are disciplines that develop the brains and souls of our children. We need them to stay intact!

The school board meeting when the proposal will be voted on is December 20 at 7 p.m. in the District Oak Conference Room, 1410 South McKay Avenue, Suite 201. They want to hear from us. Please put this date on your calendar and come to show your support to keep the schedule as it originally was or to explore other options.

From concerned fine art parents,

Gail Freitag, Jill Stoeck,

Sharon Batcher, Bonnie Brand,

Bridget Jergenson

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters, freitag, stoeck, batcher, brand, jergenson