Carl Sandburg Middle School Orchestra Alexandria Virginia

Latoya Lamonds-Slocumb
Director
Orchestra Room
Voice Mail
(703) 799-6225

LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu

Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA

The orchestra
needs new
instruments. We
need new bass,
cello, violin, and
bows. Click here
to see what our
current
instruments look
like and how you
can assist with a
purchase or a
donation! Thank
you!!!! Be a
patron of the
orchestra!

So what would happen if they cut our music programs?

Students won't have the opportunity to play an instrument in school until the
7th grade.
Advanced music programs will shrink in middle and high school as there will
be a smaller pool of children who have had enough years and experience to
play at a higher level.
Students who are looking for a scholarship in music may be disadvantaged
over students from other school systems who have had more years
participating in more comprehensive music programs that start earlier than
ours.
Children who may have considered playing an instrument in elementary
school may lose interest by the time they get to middle school and never play.
Children whose parents cannot afford private lessons will not have the
opportunity to play an instrument until middle school
140 Fairfax County teachers may lose their jobs.
25,000 elementary students in the current music program will lose their music
classes

More interesting FCPS facts:

Last year, 24,871 students were enrolled in band and strings (enrollments
for this year are pending). This number represents approximately 70% of all
4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in FCPS.
116.8 positions are defined in the FY2011 budget as our band and strings
teachers assigned to teach these students. Our elementary band and strings
programs continue to grow annually.
Positions are different than teachers since many of our teachers are part-
time. The 116.8 full time positions are covered by 146 personnel.
Last year, the Instruments for All (IFA) provided 7,111 instruments to
students on free and/or reduced lunch. This year, the number is at 7,800
and continues to grow. These are students who could not afford to
participate in our programs without the school system’s support.
Approximately 36 of our positions are hired to serve this added population.

Music and the arts are vital to every
child's education. Is your child's
music program in danger of being
cut? This site offers effective tips for
taking action and the latest evidence
of music's importance.
http://www.supportmusic.com/

Students who participate
in music programs learn
team work, responsibility
and organizational skills
in addition to musical
knowledge.

Be an Online Advocate

Sign the online petition to Save the
Band and Strings program in Fairfax
County
http://www.thepetitionsite.
com/2/save-our-fairfax-county-public-
schools-band-and-strings-programs

If you have a Facebook account you
can join the group: Save Fairfax
Band and Strings.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#
/group.php?gid=164688442731&ref
=search&sid=674333716.21581479
37..1

Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education
Boosters (FACE). Get involved in what
is going on regarding advocacy and
available resources in Fairfax County
to help save Fairfax County's
Elementary instrumental programs
(and by extension the middle and high
school programs).
http://www.faceadvocacy.org/

Advocacy

Most of you are aware that Fairfax County Public Schools are planning many
cut to the Fairfax County School budget

They want to cut our Elementary School band and string programs.

You may be parents with children in elementary, middle, and high school band and
string programs. Your children may be a product these programs. You may have
children not quite old enough to play and are anticipating the year they get to begin
learning an instrument.

To cut the elementary band and string program would affect Fairfax County band
and strings at all levels and affect children who play in them. We need to show the
Fairfax County School Board members that we do not want them to cut our
elementary school band and string programs.

A proactive group concerned with our issues is the Fairfax Arts Coalition for
Education Boosters (FACE). They are planning activities, they are gathering
together concerned parents, and they are making resources available to us. They
are helping to coordinate our effort.

http://www.faceadvocacy.org

If you were at the last planned event at the Sherwood Hall Library you saw a great
turnout--parents, children, instrument cases, flyers, and music teachers.

Please consider attending some of the planned activities in the next few weeks:

Be involved as a parent
If you are a parent who wants to be more involved please give your name to Denny
Stokes: Denny.Stokes@gmail.com. More info contact Denny.

Talk to your kids about the value of elementary school band and strings programs
and why as a family you are supporting the Fairfax County Elementary School Band
and String Program. This can also be a great time to show your children that they
can stand up for an important cause and learn positive ways to do this.

Distribute FACE postcards
Contact Mary at mscello@cox.net These postcards can be given out OUTSIDE the
building at concerts and upcoming district auditions and events.

Did you know Fairfax County Public
Schools are proposing to eliminate
our elementary school music
programs?

If you value these program you must
make your voice heard now. Here are
several ways to make sure that your
opinion will count.

Submit your comments and
suggestions in support of our
elementary school orchestra and
band programs
You can still submit your comments
and suggestions through The Fairfax
County Government online form:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.
gov/survey/fy11communitydialogue.
htm

You can also still submit comments
and suggests through the Fairfax
County Government budget hotline at
703-324-9400,

You can still send an email to your
School Board Member and voice your
concern
http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members.
htm

You can still send an email to the
County Board of Supervisors listing
your concerns
http://www.fairfaxcounty.
gov/government/board/