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Volume XIX • Number 35 • September 13 - 19, 2012 •
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PS 24 parents anguished by diminished music program By MIAWLING LAM and AMAL ABBASS Parents at P.S 24 continue to bemoan the devastating cuts to the school’s music program and have warned that the downsizing effort could negatively impact student academic achievement. More than a dozen mothers, fathers and grandparents expressed their concerns about the scaled-back music program in random interviews in front of the school during the first day of classes on Thursday, September 6. Many spoke of the importance of a music curriculum to a child’s overall learning experience, while others feared that the absence of a full-time vocal music instructor would rob kids of a complete, well-rounded education. And while parents were eager to talk and support saving the music program at P.S. 24, some feared to allow their names to be used lest their activism be taken out on their children School officials originally excessed the entire music department—one instrumental teacher and one vocal teacher—in June, just days before the end of the school year. At the time, P.S. 24 interim acting assistant principal Emanuele “Manny” Verdi said officials were forced to let go of the teachers because three staffers with seniority were returning from leave. Last month, administrators confirmed that instrumental music teacher Maryellen Shepley would be rehired, thanks to a “bump” in student enrollment. But the vocal teacher remains excessed. Principal Donna Connelly has come under criticism for what was termed an unnecessary targeting of the music teachers. Her choice was to either excess a music teacher or the least senior member of the faculty, a classroom teacher. No class size increases would have been
necessitated by that alternative, as the place of that teacher would have been taken by one of the senior teachers returning from leave. Other parents suggested ending the “conflict resolution” program, which eats up the services of another classroom teacher in order to save the popular music program in its entirety. Speaking to the Riverdale Review, local grandmother Sila Moncegur said while it was a relief to have a partial restoration, the vocal music cut was “very bad.” “My granddaughter likes to sing, act and play flute,” she said, “Music is important for the kids because it relaxes them mentally. I hope they bring the other (teacher) back.” Yvonne, a mother of a second-grader who declined to provide her last name, joined the chorus of parents calling on the school to implement a full restoration. “The music program gives kids a well-rounded experience. It opens their mind in a way that core classes don’t,” she said. “I understand cuts need to be made because of budgets, but eventually I would like to see both teachers back.” Under the partial restoration, the school will be eligible to continue participating in the Music and the Brain program and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. The MATB program supplies students in grades K through 2 with dozens of keyboards, while VH1 supplies pupils in grades 3 through 5 with a range of woodwind instruments. Existing partnerships with the New York Philharmonic and Little Orchestra Society will also continue to supplement the school’s music instruction. However, some argue that those supplementary partnerships and programs don’t suffice. Dropping off their first-grade
daughter, a Mosholu Parkway couple, Ralphy and Satie Loperena, said music was incredibly vital to their child’s overall education. “For our daughter, music is number one,” Satie said. “She goes around the house singing all the time. She wants to be a singer. If the program is cut too much, I am going to put her in private lessons.” Ralphy added that music was crucial during his own upbringing. “It helps with reading and math—it helps with focus, overall. Music helps kids become high achievers.” Another local mother, who declined to provide her name, said her first-grade daughter discovered a love of keyboards through the school’s music program.
“The kids need to have enjoyment. They need to relieve stress. They need a break,” she said. “It’s not fair to see these cuts to programs compared to what private schools get. “Some Riverdale parents are wealthy, but a lot of us cannot afford private school. Our kids are just as deserving as private-school students. Our kids deserve enriching lives.” Local P.S. 24 parent and school leadership team member Eugenia Zakharov said the summer vacation has made it difficult for parents to discuss the music program cut. She conceded that parents are no longer sending her letters or emails to express their disapproval of the decision, but she predicted the issue would
be raised at parents’ association meetings. The year’s first meeting was scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, September 11. “I haven’t had the chance to discuss anything with anybody, but I’m hoping there are going to be a lot of parents at the PA meeting and that they will be more involved this year,” she said. Zakharov, whose twins have just entered the fourth grade, was instrumental in rallying the community to fight the initial cuts. She was partially responsible for organizing a petition, which amassed more than 80 signatures and brought the issue to the attention of schools chancellor Dennis M. Walcott.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY: The Hebrew Home at Riverdale celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Grandparents’ Day, on Sunday, September 9th and the 14th Annual Rhythm on the River Concert, with a wonderful performance by Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks. Grandparents’ Day, a national holiday to honor and appreciate grandparents, originated at the Hebrew Home under the leadership of the late Jacob Reingold. He was inspired by the idea of designating one day each year to celebrate grandparents—an idea he put into effect by creating Grandparents’ Day in 1961 at the Home. That first celebration received a special tribute from President John F. Kennedy. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed Grandparents’ Day a national holiday. The Home celebrating Grandparents’ Day has since become a strong yearly tradition to the community. Pictured above, resident Jack Charnet, (seated center, navy top), enjoying the company of his daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren.