Music Cuts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this an equity thing where FCPS doesn't want one high school offering courses for credit outside of school hours unless every school does? I am not aware of our high school offering courses outside school hours. Do they have to pay the teachers extra?

Yeah, this is a stupidly expensive way to offer what is a club activity or school day elective everywhere else.

Teacher has to be paid for the course vs a tiny stipend for a club, classroom staffing ratios are increased to cover the cost of the extra teacher, if students are taking full course load + these after school classes then they have to pay the additional course fee vs clubs which are free or have nominal fees…

[Anonymous]

Never heard of before and after school music for credit at our school. Seems like a smart thing to cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a high school teacher at another school, it is wild to me that a before/after school program was for credits. Is marching band a credit? Jazz band? Is a sport or being in the play a credit? Those are all extracurricular activities, even the ones that require more hours than a semester class.

Why are these classes not during the day if demand is there?

As a core subject teacher, we are being told to expect all classes filled to 32 at the beginning of the school year next August. If cutting an after school elective class means hiring an additional math teacher to get our class sizes below 30, then this is a very logical choice.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who don’t want to click:

Our administration at Westfield has decided to eliminate six after-school and before-school music classes. This decision was made due to what they perceive as a lack of equity in these classes, particularly because we earn 0.5 credits for specific courses. While this might seem unfair, these credits acknowledge the students' hard work in the music program and motivate others to practice and reach a level where they can be recognized. Having role models within any community encourages students and teachers to improve, ultimately helping the music program grow.
This decision is solely a Westfield initiative and will likely create a domino effect on surrounding schools, threatening not only our music community but also that of Fairfax County Public Schools. The administration's choice feels hypocritical, as they continuously promote community values, integrity, and excellence, yet this decision undermines those principles by targeting our community, our integrity, and our excellence.

What other schools offer such a program, especially for credit? My kid’s FCPS high school certainly doesn’t

[Anonymous]

For my child's FCPS advanced band class, it is mandatory to participate in marching band. There are other extracurricular activities the advanced band students are required to participate in as well. The advanced band members get a 0.5 added to the GPA.

If a child doesn't want to be in marching band, then the child simply signs up for a lower-level band class.

I got the impression that this was normal for band programs in FCPS schools?

I'm thinking Westfield has a similar program, in that advanced band members are required to participate in after- or before-school classes to get the extra 0.5 boost to the GPA. But now, no more extra classes? Am I reading this right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For my child's FCPS advanced band class, it is mandatory to participate in marching band. There are other extracurricular activities the advanced band students are required to participate in as well. The advanced band members get a 0.5 added to the GPA.

If a child doesn't want to be in marching band, then the child simply signs up for a lower-level band class.

I got the impression that this was normal for band programs in FCPS schools?

I'm thinking Westfield has a similar program, in that advanced band members are required to participate in after- or before-school classes to get the extra 0.5 boost to the GPA. But now, no more extra classes? Am I reading this right?

I think you're correct. They're also cutting jazz band classes and chorus classes that meet during the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my child's FCPS advanced band class, it is mandatory to participate in marching band. There are other extracurricular activities the advanced band students are required to participate in as well. The advanced band members get a 0.5 added to the GPA.

If a child doesn't want to be in marching band, then the child simply signs up for a lower-level band class.

I got the impression that this was normal for band programs in FCPS schools?

I'm thinking Westfield has a similar program, in that advanced band members are required to participate in after- or before-school classes to get the extra 0.5 boost to the GPA. But now, no more extra classes? Am I reading this right?

I think you're correct. They're also cutting jazz band classes and chorus classes that meet during the day.

Jazz band meets twice a week after school during non marching band season at my high school school. It’s never been a full class, it’s a club at every school I’ve ever taught at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my child's FCPS advanced band class, it is mandatory to participate in marching band. There are other extracurricular activities the advanced band students are required to participate in as well. The advanced band members get a 0.5 added to the GPA.

If a child doesn't want to be in marching band, then the child simply signs up for a lower-level band class.

I got the impression that this was normal for band programs in FCPS schools?

I'm thinking Westfield has a similar program, in that advanced band members are required to participate in after- or before-school classes to get the extra 0.5 boost to the GPA. But now, no more extra classes? Am I reading this right?

I think you're correct. They're also cutting jazz band classes and chorus classes that meet during the day.

Are you talking about Westfield specifically?

Or all of FCPS?

Just anecdotally, but at our high school, the top music students (choir, band and orchestra) have consistently had the best college acceptance outcomes, far better than athletes and non music smart kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my child's FCPS advanced band class, it is mandatory to participate in marching band. There are other extracurricular activities the advanced band students are required to participate in as well. The advanced band members get a 0.5 added to the GPA.

If a child doesn't want to be in marching band, then the child simply signs up for a lower-level band class.

I got the impression that this was normal for band programs in FCPS schools?

I'm thinking Westfield has a similar program, in that advanced band members are required to participate in after- or before-school classes to get the extra 0.5 boost to the GPA. But now, no more extra classes? Am I reading this right?

I think you're correct. They're also cutting jazz band classes and chorus classes that meet during the day.

Are you talking about Westfield specifically?

Or all of FCPS?

Just anecdotally, but at our high school, the top music students (choir, band and orchestra) have consistently had the best college acceptance outcomes, far better than athletes and non music smart kids.

Westfield specifically.

[Anonymous]

Why are there before and after school classes? That doesn't seem like it should be allowed. How do kids get home? Does high school have a late bus, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are there before and after school classes? That doesn't seem like it should be allowed. How do kids get home? Does high school have a late bus, too?

Yes, there are late busses in high school. Tons of kids use them for after school activities. A lot of high schoolers drive themselves, bike, or walk, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are there before and after school classes? That doesn't seem like it should be allowed. How do kids get home? Does high school have a late bus, too?

I believe every IB high school in the county offers the required IB course, Theory of Knowledge, after school. Students who do the full IB diploma are unable to take a band, or music class (or another non IB elective) and get the diploma because there aren't enough periods in the day. Therefore, the schools offer a section of TOK after school so the students can fit it all into their schedule. Another reason why IB is more expensive than AP.

[Anonymous]

Why do we take sports more seriously than music? Coaches get to import players to build teams, but music classes just get cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do we take sports more seriously than music? Coaches get to import players to build teams, but music classes just get cut.

This isn’t about music classes during the day. It’s about some special for credit after school class that seems to be unique to Westfield. I have had kids in two fcps HS and never heard about for credit classes after school. I am surprised this has been allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do we take sports more seriously than music? Coaches get to import players to build teams, but music classes just get cut.

This isn’t about music classes during the day. It’s about some special for credit after school class that seems to be unique to Westfield. I have had kids in two fcps HS and never heard about for credit classes after school. I am surprised this has been allowed.

It is also about classes during the day. It is both.