I am sharing this letter from the BCMEA past president with the Armstrong community, because I know most of you appreciate our strong music program at Armstrong and in Burnaby. But, as budgets get cut, this may not always be our reality. Write a letter (see template below) to support adequate funding for your child’s education that allows the entire curriculum, including arts education, to be taught in schools.
As you may be aware, school districts throughout our province have been grappling with deficit budgets, leading to significant cuts in teaching positions, student programs, and essential student support services. These budget constraints have profoundly impacted the quality of education our students receive, including their access to music education.
In response to these challenges, a letter writing campaign to the provincial government has been initiated. The primary aim of this campaign is to advocate for an increase in the per student fund allocation, which is crucial for restoring the resources necessary to provide a well-rounded education for all students, including robust music programs.
I urge you to join this campaign by mobilizing your music parents and families to participate in sending letters to their Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). By raising our voices collectively, we can emphasize the importance of adequate funding for education and highlight the value of music education in fostering creativity, discipline, and academic success among our students.
Below, I have included a template letter that you can share with your music community. Feel free to customize it to reflect your own experiences and perspectives:
Raise Per Student Funding Letter
Together, let’s work towards securing the resources our students need to thrive academically, socially, and artistically. Thank you for your dedication to music education and your commitment to advocating for the best interests of our students.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Let’s make our voices heard and effect positive change for the future of education in our province.
Cheers,
Cindy Romphf
BCMEA Past PresidentÂ
bcmea.pastpresident@gmail.com