Schedule changes and JH Jazz

Dear ER music parents,


First of all, I want to thank you for all of your support during the difficult start to this school year. As you know, the introduction of the middle level "skills period" and change of music ensemble class time to the lunch hour has had serious ramifications for our music program. I want you to know that our 7-12 administrators have heard your concerns and that vocal music director John Polvino and I have recently met with them numerous times. At this point, it is impossible to implement major schedule changes that will affect the entire building; but we are working hard to improve issues that can be fixed now. Our interim principal, Liz Konar, inherited this situation and has worked very hard with us address many of these issues. Through

these meetings and efforts, a significant schedule change is being implemented for music staff that will allow for the immediate return of the ER Junior High Jazz Band. Jazz Band will resume for the 2013-14 school year on Friday, October 18, with students continuing to meet every Friday during the 8th period block. In addition to this change, JH Jazz Band will now be a credited course that is graded and factored into a student's GPA. This move further validates our jazz program, and should be beneficial to our participating students.