September 23, 2013- Statement to the Board of Education
Good Evening, my name is Jane Samuelson, committee chair for ADAM (Valley Central’s All District Art and Music Fundraising group). We are now a few weeks into the school year, and as a district, we have overcome many hurdles and challenges. Even in these tough times, there is so much that we are doing right for our students. But when we have a challenge where we know we are falling short, we owe it to our students to address that issue and open our minds to change. Just as we considered feedback about our Maybrook students adjusting to their new schools, and our kindergarten bussing issues, we should consider the feedback we hear about art and music during our first few weeks of school and address those as well.
The feedback ADAM has heard after the Elementary School open houses, is that some parents were told there would be no art or music, some were told that students would go to the art room or music room once a week, some every other week, some once a month. Some parents were told that these rooms were still available, and some were even told that everything in the music room was already packed up. Some of our children have been to the art room once or twice already and some have not had art or music at all. We certainly commend everyone who is trying to do their very best to bring art and music to our students under the current circumstances. We also commend the board for asking the right questions at the last board meeting. However, I for one was not pleased with the answers that were given.
Through our own experiences as parents, and listening to the comments of other parents, I’d like to share with you, that on the days when children arrived home from school saying “we went to the art room today!” with smiles and excitement on their faces, it was truly heartwarming. I am quite sure they also learned a lot in their math and ELA lessons that day, but taking a trip to the art room ignited their passion and made them excited about school. When the students work right through their special times, I believe we are doing them a disservice. We need to give them that small break to stoke that passion, excitement and creativity. Art, music, library, sports, and extra-curricular activities: these are reasons why students enjoy going to school.
We are a public school so we should make sure that all students receive the same opportunities, equally across the district. New York State has defined minimum requirements that are supposed to be met. We should not decide on the third day of school that we are not going to meet these standards, or that we are not going to provide the art and music standards equally for our students. The fact that our students are not assessed or measured on these art and music standards, should not be a reason for not trying our best to instill them. We need to keep our minds open and work together to find a plan that better serves our students.
ADAM is currently discussing alternative options to support art and music during the school day. All of these option will require the district’s support, as it is our goal to use the funds raised in a worthwhile manner that serves all of our students. We ask that you please work with us to explore these options, some of which have little to no cost, but could provide huge benefits to our youngest students.
With us tonight are two Valley Central Students speaking to you in their own words about art and music. This is the first time either of them have addressed a Board like this, and I am very proud of each of them for even coming here tonight. The first is John Severson, a fourth grader at MES, who is running for Vice President of student council. The second is Ashley Peterson, a ninth grader at VCHS, who is working toward her Girl Scout Silver star award. I hope you will join me in welcoming and encouraging them both in their current and future endeavors.
I’d quickly like to tell you about our upcoming events Coin Drop 9/28, Concert at the Warehouse 9/29, iPad drawing 9/30, Jumpin Jakes 10/2, and OCC 5k/10K on 10/27. Lastly, with regard to the Band Option that you will be discussing later this evening, because it is an afterschool option, I’d like to be clear that ADAM is remaining neutral and choosing to stay out of this conversation.
Good Evening, my name is Jane Samuelson, committee chair for ADAM (Valley Central’s All District Art and Music Fundraising group). We are now a few weeks into the school year, and as a district, we have overcome many hurdles and challenges. Even in these tough times, there is so much that we are doing right for our students. But when we have a challenge where we know we are falling short, we owe it to our students to address that issue and open our minds to change. Just as we considered feedback about our Maybrook students adjusting to their new schools, and our kindergarten bussing issues, we should consider the feedback we hear about art and music during our first few weeks of school and address those as well.
The feedback ADAM has heard after the Elementary School open houses, is that some parents were told there would be no art or music, some were told that students would go to the art room or music room once a week, some every other week, some once a month. Some parents were told that these rooms were still available, and some were even told that everything in the music room was already packed up. Some of our children have been to the art room once or twice already and some have not had art or music at all. We certainly commend everyone who is trying to do their very best to bring art and music to our students under the current circumstances. We also commend the board for asking the right questions at the last board meeting. However, I for one was not pleased with the answers that were given.
Through our own experiences as parents, and listening to the comments of other parents, I’d like to share with you, that on the days when children arrived home from school saying “we went to the art room today!” with smiles and excitement on their faces, it was truly heartwarming. I am quite sure they also learned a lot in their math and ELA lessons that day, but taking a trip to the art room ignited their passion and made them excited about school. When the students work right through their special times, I believe we are doing them a disservice. We need to give them that small break to stoke that passion, excitement and creativity. Art, music, library, sports, and extra-curricular activities: these are reasons why students enjoy going to school.
We are a public school so we should make sure that all students receive the same opportunities, equally across the district. New York State has defined minimum requirements that are supposed to be met. We should not decide on the third day of school that we are not going to meet these standards, or that we are not going to provide the art and music standards equally for our students. The fact that our students are not assessed or measured on these art and music standards, should not be a reason for not trying our best to instill them. We need to keep our minds open and work together to find a plan that better serves our students.
ADAM is currently discussing alternative options to support art and music during the school day. All of these option will require the district’s support, as it is our goal to use the funds raised in a worthwhile manner that serves all of our students. We ask that you please work with us to explore these options, some of which have little to no cost, but could provide huge benefits to our youngest students.
With us tonight are two Valley Central Students speaking to you in their own words about art and music. This is the first time either of them have addressed a Board like this, and I am very proud of each of them for even coming here tonight. The first is John Severson, a fourth grader at MES, who is running for Vice President of student council. The second is Ashley Peterson, a ninth grader at VCHS, who is working toward her Girl Scout Silver star award. I hope you will join me in welcoming and encouraging them both in their current and future endeavors.
I’d quickly like to tell you about our upcoming events Coin Drop 9/28, Concert at the Warehouse 9/29, iPad drawing 9/30, Jumpin Jakes 10/2, and OCC 5k/10K on 10/27. Lastly, with regard to the Band Option that you will be discussing later this evening, because it is an afterschool option, I’d like to be clear that ADAM is remaining neutral and choosing to stay out of this conversation.
September 9, 2013 - Statement to the Board of Education
For anyone who isn’t aware by now, my name is Jane Samuelson, committee chair for ADAM (Valley Central’s All District Art and Music Fundraising group). First I’d like to extend a great big “Thank You!” to everyone who volunteered their time to help us this past weekend, and also to those who came out to visit us on Montgomery Day. We had a very successful day. Between our booth, and the revenues we shared with the Valley Central’s Athletic Booster Club for the dunk tank and event parking, ADAM raised about $1,800 in just one day! We have raised approximately $23,000 in total, and have some big events coming up in the next few months.
ADAM’s goal has always been to raise enough funds to restore certified art and music teachers for this school year. Should we not receive the support needed to reach this goal, we intend to maximize our funds to implement art and music programs in the Elementary schools. Our committee views bringing art and music to our children this year, as a collaborative effort between the Board of Education, the Administration, the teachers, and the community. We had a very productive discussion with the Elementary school principals and Dr. Hooley two weeks ago. We discussed many ideas for providing different art and music programs for our children this school year. We hope to schedule similar meetings with the Teacher’s Union, and art and music teachers, to brainstorm program ideas with them as well.
Some of the alternatives we discussed with the Elementary school principals and Dr. Hooley have very little, to no cost associated with them. With that in mind, and knowing that our children are watching us to see how we resolve this problem that we are faced with, we truly hope we can all work together to find creative solutions to the situation we find ourselves in this year. Just because we do not have funding allocated in this year’s school budget for Art, Music and Library, should not mean we just close the door and turn out the lights in the art room, the music room, and the library. Let’s show our children how to work together to solve the problem at hand. There are things that we can implement right now, that don’t cost any money at all. It just takes putting our heads together to work out the details.
The biggest question I have tonight is - Why can’t we still send the Elementary school students to the Art room, the Music room, and the Library with their teachers during their regular “special” times? This would cost absolutely nothing to implement. The children would get a break from the surroundings of their normal classroom. They would get a chance to stretch their legs, we all know the benefits of that, and so many of them would reap enormous benefits just from the simple change of scenery. Once they are there, their teacher could teach a lesson related to art or music, or encourage their love of books by visiting the library and checking out books on a regular weekly basis.
Besides, there are still art and music standards defined by the NYS Education Department that are supposed to be taught during the school day, even if we don’t have dedicated teachers to provide that instruction. It is impossible to ensure that all students will receive the same amount of art and music instruction without allotting a time and place for instruction to occur. Having the classes scheduled once a week will ensure that each student receives an equal amount of these required art and music standards. We do understand, and can only imagine the enormous pressures that teachers must feel from the new common core curriculum and testing standards. But it’s too easy to use the lost “specials” as extra time to teach mandated and tested subjects. It’s just like making time in your day to go to the gym for your workout or making a dentist appointment. If you don’t schedule the time in your busy life, you’ll never actually go and do it. Let’s not lose sight of what our elementary children really need - to explore their surroundings, to be creative, to use their imagination, and to learn by doing and touching with their own hands, whether it be through a paintbrush, a drum stick, or a new book. Thank you for your time and for listening.
For anyone who isn’t aware by now, my name is Jane Samuelson, committee chair for ADAM (Valley Central’s All District Art and Music Fundraising group). First I’d like to extend a great big “Thank You!” to everyone who volunteered their time to help us this past weekend, and also to those who came out to visit us on Montgomery Day. We had a very successful day. Between our booth, and the revenues we shared with the Valley Central’s Athletic Booster Club for the dunk tank and event parking, ADAM raised about $1,800 in just one day! We have raised approximately $23,000 in total, and have some big events coming up in the next few months.
ADAM’s goal has always been to raise enough funds to restore certified art and music teachers for this school year. Should we not receive the support needed to reach this goal, we intend to maximize our funds to implement art and music programs in the Elementary schools. Our committee views bringing art and music to our children this year, as a collaborative effort between the Board of Education, the Administration, the teachers, and the community. We had a very productive discussion with the Elementary school principals and Dr. Hooley two weeks ago. We discussed many ideas for providing different art and music programs for our children this school year. We hope to schedule similar meetings with the Teacher’s Union, and art and music teachers, to brainstorm program ideas with them as well.
Some of the alternatives we discussed with the Elementary school principals and Dr. Hooley have very little, to no cost associated with them. With that in mind, and knowing that our children are watching us to see how we resolve this problem that we are faced with, we truly hope we can all work together to find creative solutions to the situation we find ourselves in this year. Just because we do not have funding allocated in this year’s school budget for Art, Music and Library, should not mean we just close the door and turn out the lights in the art room, the music room, and the library. Let’s show our children how to work together to solve the problem at hand. There are things that we can implement right now, that don’t cost any money at all. It just takes putting our heads together to work out the details.
The biggest question I have tonight is - Why can’t we still send the Elementary school students to the Art room, the Music room, and the Library with their teachers during their regular “special” times? This would cost absolutely nothing to implement. The children would get a break from the surroundings of their normal classroom. They would get a chance to stretch their legs, we all know the benefits of that, and so many of them would reap enormous benefits just from the simple change of scenery. Once they are there, their teacher could teach a lesson related to art or music, or encourage their love of books by visiting the library and checking out books on a regular weekly basis.
Besides, there are still art and music standards defined by the NYS Education Department that are supposed to be taught during the school day, even if we don’t have dedicated teachers to provide that instruction. It is impossible to ensure that all students will receive the same amount of art and music instruction without allotting a time and place for instruction to occur. Having the classes scheduled once a week will ensure that each student receives an equal amount of these required art and music standards. We do understand, and can only imagine the enormous pressures that teachers must feel from the new common core curriculum and testing standards. But it’s too easy to use the lost “specials” as extra time to teach mandated and tested subjects. It’s just like making time in your day to go to the gym for your workout or making a dentist appointment. If you don’t schedule the time in your busy life, you’ll never actually go and do it. Let’s not lose sight of what our elementary children really need - to explore their surroundings, to be creative, to use their imagination, and to learn by doing and touching with their own hands, whether it be through a paintbrush, a drum stick, or a new book. Thank you for your time and for listening.
August 26, 2013 - Statement to the Board of Education
My name is Jane Samuelson, and as you know I am the ADAM committee chair. First and foremost I’d like to applaud the Athletics Booster Club on their successful fundraising effort and the restoration of the JV sports program. I wish the Boosters Club continued good fortune as they work toward their goal of restoring Modified sports. The VCABC and ADAM, though separate in our fundraising organizations and goals, are both working very hard to support the children of this district.
Tonight I would like to give you a brief update of ADAM’s future plans and accomplishments thus far. But before I do that, I’d like make it clear that we, as a committee, are well aware and agree with the concerns voiced by parents and teachers alike, that afterschool clubs are not a viable answer to provide adequate art and music instruction for our elementary school children. These concerns include the limited number of students they will serve, the fact that advisors may or may not have any training in art and music fields, the argument that the school day is long enough already, that clubs will interfere with other afterschool activities, as well as transportation concerns. We plan to maximize funds by working with the elementary school principals and the administration to “brainstorm” all of the options to provide art and music instruction during the school day.
It has been a very productive week since we addressed you last. Thanks to all those who volunteered for, and supported the Cut-a-thon this past Saturday, and the guest bartending event on Sunday, we are proud to announce that the total amount raised thus far is just under $21,000.
On Labor Day please come visit us at the Crystal Run Galleria where we will have a table in the center court. Our next big fundraiser will be Montgomery Day, Saturday, September 7th. ADAM will have a donation table set up, as well as a shared dunking booth with the Athletic Booster Club. We have quite a line-up of dunkees already – Dr. Hooley will be leading us off at 1:00pm, followed by Bob Jurgens, Mayor Dennis Leahy of Maybrook, Fran Fox-Pizzonia and Joy Crist and others. We’ll be dunking until 6:00pm that evening.
We also have a coin drop collection underway thanks to Bob Jurgens. We will be collecting coins all month, and accepting additional drop-offs on September 28th from 9 to noon at the Montgomery Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union HVFCU, located near ShopRite. HVFCU will then match what we raise, up to $1500! We also have a Raffle for an iPad 3 ongoing, which was donated by one of our supporters. Raffle tickets are available on our website now and the drawing will be September 30th.
The Village of Montgomery St. Patrick’s Day 5K “Run for the Gold” committee has graciously announced that it will be supporting ADAM’s cause with their 2014 race proceeds. They will also have a booth during General Montgomery Day, and will be offering a special race registration price for anyone who signs up that day. Please register early as they are donating registrations as they come in.
We have many other fundraisers planned through December of this year that will require the help of many volunteers. We are also in the process of sending out letters to large corporations asking for donations and/or grants. If anyone knows of a company that may be willing to support art and music in our district, please let me, or another member of our committee know. We are also in need of someone to spearhead our advocacy campaign, including letter writing and petitions, to NYS government officials and representatives to demand public education funding reform.
Our past and future success is entirely due to community support. There is a lot of work to be done and we invite all members of the community to join in our efforts.
My name is Lori Cunningham, and I am one of the committee members of ADAM, the Valley Central All District Arts and Music Committee. All five of our committee members are first and foremost parents. Tonight we would like to speak with you as parents, as well as committee members. While we believe that the Board wholeheartedly supports the work of ADAM, we do not sense that the Board’s support fully extends to the academic programs we are trying to restore.
The first goal of any school district should be student achievement, to prioritize continuous improvement for students at all levels. In the Viking Press that was delivered to district residents this week, Dr. Hooley compliments ADAM for our fundraising, and we are grateful that he recognizes our hard work. However, he goes on to say that ADAM will “take charge of restoring cuts” to music and art education. We believe this is the wrong message to send to our community, as this should be a shared burden and not ours alone to bear. This board and administration must commit to finding the money to fund these critical educational programs. We have all seen the statistics showing the educational benefits art and music instruction brings to every child, and this board cannot dismiss its responsibility to ensure that our children succeed in all areas of their education.
After the first budget vote, thank goodness money was reallocated to restore an alternate day kindergarten program, extra-curricular programs in the high school, and a Varsity sports program. After an emotional presentation, and with intense support by the Board, JROTC was also restored. After several public meetings with kindergarten parents, money within the adopted budget was reallocated to fund the extra transportation costs needed to provide a half day program. Although full day is preferred, there still is a kindergarten program. But elementary art and music, academic subjects taught during the school day to approximately 2,000 elementary school children, has not been addressed. Elementary school parents should not, and cannot, be taken for granted simply because we were not the squeakiest wheel or the loudest group to make a presentation. Do not mistake our silence for acceptance, because the Board’s current lack of action is unacceptable. While we keep hearing that the Board can’t restore everything, the fact remains that every program has been fully or partially restored with the exception of art and music for our youngest students.
Some believe that programs that cost less should be restored first, but that assumes art and music education is an all or nothing proposition. Last year’s art and music program cost over a million dollars. Cutting it to $200,000 would have been a huge savings, while preserving at least some art and music instruction in our elementary schools. Something as essential as art and music instruction by certified teachers, and all the benefits that come along with it, should never be an all or nothing proposition. But speaking tonight as parents, as well as committee members of ADAM, we are disappointed and discouraged that instead of enhancing or adding to a scaled down program, we find it necessary to raise the entire amount needed to have any program at all.
Something must be done now. ADAM and the community have jumped in and are doing their part to raise funds. The teacher’s union must work to amend their contract to ensure qualified art and music teachers are allowed to teach these subjects during this budget crisis. And as parents and committee members, we respectfully ask the Board and the administration to do their share as well. Please reconsider restoring some form of certified art and music instruction during the school day for this upcoming school year. Work with us to do what is just and fair for our children.
My name is Jane Samuelson, and as you know I am the ADAM committee chair. First and foremost I’d like to applaud the Athletics Booster Club on their successful fundraising effort and the restoration of the JV sports program. I wish the Boosters Club continued good fortune as they work toward their goal of restoring Modified sports. The VCABC and ADAM, though separate in our fundraising organizations and goals, are both working very hard to support the children of this district.
Tonight I would like to give you a brief update of ADAM’s future plans and accomplishments thus far. But before I do that, I’d like make it clear that we, as a committee, are well aware and agree with the concerns voiced by parents and teachers alike, that afterschool clubs are not a viable answer to provide adequate art and music instruction for our elementary school children. These concerns include the limited number of students they will serve, the fact that advisors may or may not have any training in art and music fields, the argument that the school day is long enough already, that clubs will interfere with other afterschool activities, as well as transportation concerns. We plan to maximize funds by working with the elementary school principals and the administration to “brainstorm” all of the options to provide art and music instruction during the school day.
It has been a very productive week since we addressed you last. Thanks to all those who volunteered for, and supported the Cut-a-thon this past Saturday, and the guest bartending event on Sunday, we are proud to announce that the total amount raised thus far is just under $21,000.
On Labor Day please come visit us at the Crystal Run Galleria where we will have a table in the center court. Our next big fundraiser will be Montgomery Day, Saturday, September 7th. ADAM will have a donation table set up, as well as a shared dunking booth with the Athletic Booster Club. We have quite a line-up of dunkees already – Dr. Hooley will be leading us off at 1:00pm, followed by Bob Jurgens, Mayor Dennis Leahy of Maybrook, Fran Fox-Pizzonia and Joy Crist and others. We’ll be dunking until 6:00pm that evening.
We also have a coin drop collection underway thanks to Bob Jurgens. We will be collecting coins all month, and accepting additional drop-offs on September 28th from 9 to noon at the Montgomery Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union HVFCU, located near ShopRite. HVFCU will then match what we raise, up to $1500! We also have a Raffle for an iPad 3 ongoing, which was donated by one of our supporters. Raffle tickets are available on our website now and the drawing will be September 30th.
The Village of Montgomery St. Patrick’s Day 5K “Run for the Gold” committee has graciously announced that it will be supporting ADAM’s cause with their 2014 race proceeds. They will also have a booth during General Montgomery Day, and will be offering a special race registration price for anyone who signs up that day. Please register early as they are donating registrations as they come in.
We have many other fundraisers planned through December of this year that will require the help of many volunteers. We are also in the process of sending out letters to large corporations asking for donations and/or grants. If anyone knows of a company that may be willing to support art and music in our district, please let me, or another member of our committee know. We are also in need of someone to spearhead our advocacy campaign, including letter writing and petitions, to NYS government officials and representatives to demand public education funding reform.
Our past and future success is entirely due to community support. There is a lot of work to be done and we invite all members of the community to join in our efforts.
My name is Lori Cunningham, and I am one of the committee members of ADAM, the Valley Central All District Arts and Music Committee. All five of our committee members are first and foremost parents. Tonight we would like to speak with you as parents, as well as committee members. While we believe that the Board wholeheartedly supports the work of ADAM, we do not sense that the Board’s support fully extends to the academic programs we are trying to restore.
The first goal of any school district should be student achievement, to prioritize continuous improvement for students at all levels. In the Viking Press that was delivered to district residents this week, Dr. Hooley compliments ADAM for our fundraising, and we are grateful that he recognizes our hard work. However, he goes on to say that ADAM will “take charge of restoring cuts” to music and art education. We believe this is the wrong message to send to our community, as this should be a shared burden and not ours alone to bear. This board and administration must commit to finding the money to fund these critical educational programs. We have all seen the statistics showing the educational benefits art and music instruction brings to every child, and this board cannot dismiss its responsibility to ensure that our children succeed in all areas of their education.
After the first budget vote, thank goodness money was reallocated to restore an alternate day kindergarten program, extra-curricular programs in the high school, and a Varsity sports program. After an emotional presentation, and with intense support by the Board, JROTC was also restored. After several public meetings with kindergarten parents, money within the adopted budget was reallocated to fund the extra transportation costs needed to provide a half day program. Although full day is preferred, there still is a kindergarten program. But elementary art and music, academic subjects taught during the school day to approximately 2,000 elementary school children, has not been addressed. Elementary school parents should not, and cannot, be taken for granted simply because we were not the squeakiest wheel or the loudest group to make a presentation. Do not mistake our silence for acceptance, because the Board’s current lack of action is unacceptable. While we keep hearing that the Board can’t restore everything, the fact remains that every program has been fully or partially restored with the exception of art and music for our youngest students.
Some believe that programs that cost less should be restored first, but that assumes art and music education is an all or nothing proposition. Last year’s art and music program cost over a million dollars. Cutting it to $200,000 would have been a huge savings, while preserving at least some art and music instruction in our elementary schools. Something as essential as art and music instruction by certified teachers, and all the benefits that come along with it, should never be an all or nothing proposition. But speaking tonight as parents, as well as committee members of ADAM, we are disappointed and discouraged that instead of enhancing or adding to a scaled down program, we find it necessary to raise the entire amount needed to have any program at all.
Something must be done now. ADAM and the community have jumped in and are doing their part to raise funds. The teacher’s union must work to amend their contract to ensure qualified art and music teachers are allowed to teach these subjects during this budget crisis. And as parents and committee members, we respectfully ask the Board and the administration to do their share as well. Please reconsider restoring some form of certified art and music instruction during the school day for this upcoming school year. Work with us to do what is just and fair for our children.