Dear BCHSIMP families,

This is a reminder to encourage everyone that possibly can to attend and participate in the upcoming School Board Meeting & Community Forum regarding the Save the Music efforts. It is imperative that we speak up and be present, to show the community that we feel our valuable music programs should not be eliminated from our Jefferson County elementary schools. Due to the proposed budget cuts for 2012-2014, our music programs are on the chopping block. We cannot allow this to happen. I've said this before and I say again: Our collective voice is desperately needed now, more than ever before. We need to have these meetings FILLED with community members/parents/students.

**Mark your calendars and show up WEARING RED to show your support.**

JEFFCO COMMUNITY BUDGET FORUM
SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 2012 9AM-10:30 AM
@BEAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
(additional forums will also be held simultaneously at Arvada HS,
Columbine HS,Evergreen HS, Ralston Valley HS)

Members of the Jefferson County Board of Education are hosting the community
forums. All interested community members are invited to attend.

Here is what is unfortunate. **Almost every music teacher will be in Colorado
Springs for the state music convention on this date(1/28/12). This will have to
be a parent/student effort.**

Even if you are unable to attend the meetings, don't let that prevent you from speaking up and sharing how you feel on this issue. BE INFORMED AND GET INVOLVED! Here are some articles and forums that may be of interest to you:

• www.FriendsofJeffcoMusic.org

• Facebook/FriendsofJeffcoMusic www.facebook.com/friendsofjeffcomusic."Like" their FB page: a great opportunity to voice your thoughts and perspectives, as well as be kept informed of developments. Please share with friends, family & neighbors.

• Here is a site with powerful information on the workforce we should be training...

Colorado's Creative Economy is 5th largest in the Nation
http://www.coloarts.state.co.us/programs/economic/co_creativeconomy/

• Cutting elementary instrumental deprives students of learning opportunities -- Despite needing to make extensive budget cuts, Jeffco schools must find a way to save music classes because these courses teach life lesson http://yourhub.denverpost.com/southjeffco/cutting-elementary-instrumental-music-will-deprive-students-important/NtOM6gmeVY5fTOsELF6kvL-ugc s

• (THE LIST: Music is line item 74) The Citizens' Budget Advisory Council has developed a prioritized list of suggestions for reductions http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/media/web_news/2011/2011.12.15%20CBAC%20prioritized%20summary.pdf