feature We’re All in This Together
Peggy Hill-Breunig, Waunakee In collaboration with:
Diane Anderson, Kathy Bartling, Molly Petroff, Sam Robinson, Jan Tweed A
All public schools in Wisconsin are fac- ing unprecedented challenges for the 2012-13 school year. We know in our hearts this will place even more pressure on music educators to find creative ways to provide all students the opportunity to experience the benefits music provides. We have faced many challenges over the years. Yet support for music education in the Waunakee Community School District continues to be strong.
When asked to share our story at the 2011 WMEA Advocacy Summit of how we’ve created relatively sustainable long-term support for music education, we wanted to make sure any school district – regard- less of size or available resources – would get something from our message. A small group of music educators and advocates met several times to brainstorm and share ideas about what we have done and, more important, how. We surveyed all music staff. In the end, it was empowering to see how much we’ve been able to accomplish (even in today’s climate) when you work together as a department and focus on those things you can control: collabora- tion, communication and curriculum.
Working Together as a Department Sustainable support for music requires a department that works well together, supports one another and recognizes the importance of building relationships with other district entities and our communities. This takes planning, compromise, hard work and an effective leader. Two Wau- nakee Music Department leaders, who have helped set the stage for music educa- tion in our district, say the following:
“As our community and school dis- trict have grown over the years, we have never lost awareness of the importance of community support in all that we do. It has made a huge
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difference once we involved our students in community outreach programs.
We have always had concerned par- ents who want to help. However, it is not enough to keep parents involved, but to also keep them informed. Only then can they provide us with active and positive support.
We haven’t tried to do it all at one time. Whenever we add something new to the program, all staff supports the effort with usually a positive result for students, staff and commu- nity. There is not much you cannot do if you do it together as a department. Before our string program started there was 20 years of preparatory work. Anything worth doing takes time and much effort, but certainly is worth it for all concerned.”
Jan Tweed Retired Department Chair Figure 1 Collaborate: Working Together to Promote Music
Entire Music Department • Regular Dept. meetings • K-12, all areas
• Combined events, assist others
Within District • Across other depts. • (Athletic) Calendars & Events • Upper levels share with K-5
• Perform at special events, recognitions
“Advocating for our music programs has always been a part of being on the Waunakee music staff. It’s really part of the culture here. We try to use every opportunity that presents itself to advocate for the power of music and for what it can do for students, the school and the community.
It has not been easy. In fact, it takes a great deal of effort and planning. Over the years we have certainly had our ups and downs. What we have done has not always been perfect.
But all in all, we have found that keeping our focus on collaboration, communication and establishing a strong curriculum have been the basics of our advocacy.”
Kathy Bartling Current Department Chair
Within Communities
Music/Arts Support Groups
• School-based: Music Boosters (gr. 7-12)
• Community-based: Friends of Waunakee Performing Arts (FWPA)
• Many willing volunteers!
• Many opportunities to perform as community service - Senior & community centers
- Special events, holidays, recognitions
- Service organizations & businesses
• Waunakee Community Band: students and adults play together
• Local newspaper
April 2012
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