Las Vegas Academy Band

Dear CCSD Arts Parent Community:

The past few days have brought news of cuts that seemed a distant threat days ago but are now in our face & affecting our children. Superintendent Jones' platform on Sports and Fine Arts was, is and always has been, to do the best to preserve these programs because those are the activities that keep students coming to school and in school. The results of the survey taken recently, stated that Arts and Sports should not be cut.

However, when it was determined that class sizes should increase, it then meant consequential loss of staffing positions. Many did not see it coming with Arts staffing positions eliminated, believing these programs/positions would be preserved. In reality we saw last week a total of more than 50 Secondary Fine Arts positions eliminated in middle schools/high schools whose principals were forced to make difficult decisions....and it's not over. The cuts will manifest themselves in several ways.

        Some schools are simply not teaching some Arts anymore (elimination of Fine Arts Programs at their site)

        Some schools are consolidating classes (larger mega-arts classes such as choir, orchestra or band) and therefore consolidating arts staff & positions (e.g. a band teacher taking on choir or orchestra classes in addition to band). Consolidation means fewer teachers needed for that department.

        Some schools are selectively cutting some but not all arts programs

Yet... some schools are able to sustain all their Arts programs.

Cuts have been made in every Area of the district and in every discipline. Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theatre, Dance, Guitar, Visual Arts, and Mariachi have all been affected.

What does this mean to YOU the parent?

1. Direct access to these arts are not possible any more for a large number of children.

2. There could be change in personnel in many music & arts classes due to staff being displaced from the domino effect of class sizes increasing & due to consolidation of these courses.

3. There could be many music & arts electives disappearing, especially those with smaller class sizes.

What must we do to try to stop this?

(Remember these decisions are site-based, made by your principal. These decisions are based on a tentative budget that must be approved and submitted by the Trustees. The Legislature ultimately determines the final funding for school districts and budgets are adjusted after final funding figures are in. A large percentage of part of the final funding figure rests in union concessions or bargaining.) THIS MEANS THERE IS STILL TIME TO ACT AND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE !!!!

TAKING ACTION....

1. Check first with your school principal or administration to verify if your music/arts program is cut, or endangered.

2. If so then parents at your school should show solidarity in numbers and let your principal know how important it is for the program(s) and/or teacher, to stay. You should also write to your Area Superintendant, and if you feel it necessary Mr. Jones. All of their contact information can be found on the CCSD Website. [ http://www.ccsd.net ]www.ccsd.net

3. Regardless of 1 & 2 above, Email or write to your School Board Trustee of your school. Let them know how you feel about the priority of keeping the arts programs. Let them know how this impacts YOU.
[ http://ccsd.net/trustees/trusteeList.php ]http://ccsd.net/trustees/trusteeList.php

4. In addition to 1, 2, & 3 above, email or write your Legislators and tell them how the proposed EDUCATION CUTS are directly affecting your life. The legislature is not nearly as concerned with Arts funding as it is with EDUCATION FUNDING. BUT without Educational funding in general CCSD has its hands tied regarding Arts funding. So the most powerful communication you can have at this point with our state representatives and Senators will be to address EDUCATIONAL FUNDING. You can go to the NV State Legislature website to locate your representatives and senators.

[ http://mapserve.leg.state.nv.us/website/lcb/viewer.htm ]http://mapserve.leg.state.nv.us/website/lcb/viewer.htm

When writing your legislator please keep it brief, respectful and include the following information. Your name, address and ZIP CODE (very important to include your zip code). A clear message communicating your feelings regarding EDUCATION FUNDING in Nevada, and a requested result or action you would like them to take. Letters which are too long or ask for multiple things tend to get lost in the shuffle. (If you would like to address multiple issues GREAT, please send specific letters reguarding each issue)

We cannot stress enough, the gravity of the issue at hand.

•    Parent communication at the building level (Principal)
•    Parent communication at the Area and District level (Area Superintendants and Mr. Jones)
•    Parent communication to state officials

Are all VERY MUCH NEEDED AND EXTREMELY POWERFUL !!!!!!!

The rolling out of the budget cuts has now translated to arts programs/arts staffing cuts, and rears its' ugly head in our back yard. It calls for immediate action by parents to rally together and aggressively voice protecting our arts programs. The most effective way to do this is to help secure adequate state funding of our district. Schools which are currently unaffected or minimally affected need to be as proactive on this issue as the schools which are working through cuts already announced.

Welcome to the home of the amazing
Las Vegas Academy Band

The Las Vegas Academy is the home of an award winning band program including the symphonic band, wind symphony and wind ensemble. Students in all of these amazing bands perform concerts throughout the year, attend workshops and competitions and are encouraged to compete individually at solo ensemble festivals, all state band auditions and for the Clark County School District Honor Band. During the 2008-2009 school year, the wind ensemble had the opportunity to perform at the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Our bands are headed by the dedicated and gifted directors, Logan Biles and Brian Downey. These teachers along with the assistance of Karen Camuglia, our phenomenal band "Aide", work endlessly to develop their student's abilities, find opportunities for them to perform and push them toward excellence.

LVA band students are remarkably talented and are often active in multiple bands both on and off campus. You will also find them in the student government, in campus clubs and volunteering their time after school and on the weekends. In addition, students comprise the LVA Band Council, which is responsible for the end of the year band banquet as well as other activities and celebrations throughout the school year.

The Band Booster Organization, LVABB, is the parent component that helps support these students and our band directors as they strive to be the best band program in the country. LVABB offers several avenues for lending your efforts and talents to the LVA band program. Be sure to drop into our webpage and see how you can be a part of this amazing program.

Feel free browse our website, comment on our blog and take part in the polls. Much of what makes LVA so great is parent and student involvement. We welcome you!