Middle school schedule change could hurt music program

There is a proposed change to how electives are handled for seventh- and eighth-grade students at the Whitefish Middle School. Principal Kerry Drown recently announced having a 'strong interest" in implementing a new Advisory Program into the daily class schedule.

This new class, focused on building relationships and life skills, would meet daily for 30 minutes. Consequently, the school would adopt a six-period school day, limiting students in seventh and eighth grades to one elective course and would eliminate study halls.

This would make electives, including band, orchestra and choir, "every-other-day" classes, essentially cutting the music program in half and putting students an entire year behind in their music development as they enter high school.

The drop in music class enrollment, when students are forced to choose between music (which requires consecutive years of commitment) and other equally popular electives, would be devastating to the middle school and high school music ensembles.

As active members of the Whitefish Band Boosters, we would like to emphasize the benefits of studying music: It contributes directly to better math and science achievement, due to increased spatial IQ, to better critical thinking and reading skills, it helps with self-discipline, and finally garners pride from performing at a high level of excellence.

We have a phenomenal music staff at the Whitefish Middle School: Mark McCrady and Jenanne Solberg are committed teachers, talented musicians and dedicated education/music advocates.

We would be remiss not to point out also what a great job Mr. Drown does. It's easy to see he is committed to excellence at Whitefish Middle School. We just think there must be a better way to achieve the objectives of the advisory program without diminishing the music program or other elective experiences.

Perhaps it's possible to enhance the ongoing Second Step Program, which deals with life skills and relationships, thus keeping the seven-period schedule intact. Or maybe offer the Advisory Program as an elective, similar to the Interpersonal Relations elective offered at the high school.

The bottom line: Supporting the arts in our schools is essential if excellence is our goal. The Whitefish public school music program continues to move in a positive direction. Even as district enrollment declines, the numbers in the music program continue to grow (for example, the grades 6-12 band program has more than doubled in three years). Students who desire to commit to the music program should not feel torn between choosing it and another elective.

If this issue is important to you, we invite you to contact Mr. Drown, a school administrator or board member this week. Schedule an appointment, make a call or write a letter, giving your thoughts on whether or not it's a good idea to implement this new program.

A decision on the advisory program and six-period day is expected by Friday, May 22. For more information about the benefits of music in education, visit online at www.childrensmusicworskhop.com/advocacy.

Julie Reimer, Whitefish public schools Band Boosters president, and Bernadette Duperron is the secretary.