VOTE YES!!!
I just went on a FANTASTIC run. I have been learning so much more lately. I was on a real high when I got back.
Then I checked the mail and found a flier from "Citizens for a Responsible Washtenaw" saying to Vote NO on the regional enhancement millage, and I got really fired up. Really, I almost started crying. Because they are saying "insist on responsible spending for our public schools". Of COURSE, nowhere on this flier does it mention how much LESS public schools are getting from the state this year. I don't know the exact number but it's somewhere around $600 PER PUPIL that has been cut. And more may be cut in January (as I understand it).
So yeah. Go ahead. Vote no. But you know what? If you do, schools are going to have to cut even more. We already don't have band or orchestra in Ypsi schools until sixth grade. We already have 4 music, gym, and media specialists covering 5 schools. We already have 3 art teachers covering 5 schools. And we all got a call earlier this week from our superintendent saying that if the millage does not pass, mid-year staff lay-offs and program cuts are inevitable. INEVITABLE. That means me. And that means even LESS teachers to cover 5 schools. And that means less extra stuff. Music concerts in elementary school for all students? Nope. Field day for all students? Nope. School participation in community art fairs? Nope. Honestly, if they stretch the media specialists even further, kids will not be able to check out books. Because there will be no one to do the work.
And you know what THAT means?? You can kiss away the hopes of your kid getting a music scholarship, an athletic scholarship, or an art scholarship to college. And pretty soon, your kids will be doing nothing in school but reading, writing, and math. The only reason some kids even put any effort in the rest of their school day is so that they get to go to music, art, gym or media. I'm not saying this is GOOD or anything- I mean, sure it would be great if we could all be intrinsically motivated and all that, but it's TRUE. Take away the "extra" stuff that kids love, and we will lose more kids COMPLETELY. Well-rounded, educated individuals? I think not.
Would you vote for all that?
Please, PLEASE, if you live in Washtenaw County, vote yes on the regional enhancement millage on Tuesday, November 3rd. Spread the word. Thank you.
Then I checked the mail and found a flier from "Citizens for a Responsible Washtenaw" saying to Vote NO on the regional enhancement millage, and I got really fired up. Really, I almost started crying. Because they are saying "insist on responsible spending for our public schools". Of COURSE, nowhere on this flier does it mention how much LESS public schools are getting from the state this year. I don't know the exact number but it's somewhere around $600 PER PUPIL that has been cut. And more may be cut in January (as I understand it).
So yeah. Go ahead. Vote no. But you know what? If you do, schools are going to have to cut even more. We already don't have band or orchestra in Ypsi schools until sixth grade. We already have 4 music, gym, and media specialists covering 5 schools. We already have 3 art teachers covering 5 schools. And we all got a call earlier this week from our superintendent saying that if the millage does not pass, mid-year staff lay-offs and program cuts are inevitable. INEVITABLE. That means me. And that means even LESS teachers to cover 5 schools. And that means less extra stuff. Music concerts in elementary school for all students? Nope. Field day for all students? Nope. School participation in community art fairs? Nope. Honestly, if they stretch the media specialists even further, kids will not be able to check out books. Because there will be no one to do the work.
And you know what THAT means?? You can kiss away the hopes of your kid getting a music scholarship, an athletic scholarship, or an art scholarship to college. And pretty soon, your kids will be doing nothing in school but reading, writing, and math. The only reason some kids even put any effort in the rest of their school day is so that they get to go to music, art, gym or media. I'm not saying this is GOOD or anything- I mean, sure it would be great if we could all be intrinsically motivated and all that, but it's TRUE. Take away the "extra" stuff that kids love, and we will lose more kids COMPLETELY. Well-rounded, educated individuals? I think not.
Would you vote for all that?
Please, PLEASE, if you live in Washtenaw County, vote yes on the regional enhancement millage on Tuesday, November 3rd. Spread the word. Thank you.