Music for the 2010-2011 School Year

Dear Parents,

We typically like to center our newsletter around the students and their various activities and accomplishments. Though there is usually a message from the directors about various topics, we have always placed that letter toward the end of the newsletter because we feel the students should be our focus. However, due to the uncertain future of our program and the current plan for next year, we feel it best that we address you before you read any further.

You will notice that there are several events scheduled to take place that involve both recruiting students for our MIS and MJH music programs and assessing and placing our current students into appropriate groups for next year. Many of you are probably wondering why these events and assessments will still take place if there will not be a music program in the 2010-2011 school year.

On March 22nd the Mokena 159 school board held a special meeting. At this meeting the school board responded to many parents who have voiced their opinions about the importance of all MPS extra-curricular activities. They agree that extra-curricular are an important part of a child’s education. The board of education has committed to bring back extra-curricular activities, including all of our music activities, if the community can do two things to support them. These two things are:

- Raise $250,000 to support all extra-curricular activities for the 2010-2011 school year
- Submit a petition to the school board with the signatures of 4,000 registered voters pledging their support for a $0.29 referendum to be placed on the ballot in November 2010

At this time, it looks like there is a possibility MPS will have all of the band and choir programs that are currently being offered to your students. I stress that it is only a possibility at this time. However, running the various bands and choirs takes a lot of planning and preparations that typically have already stated at this point. We, the directors, and administration feel it is better to be prepared for this possibility.

Sincerely,
Jessica Maffia, Rebecca Rodey, and Jennifer Thomas