Central Music Parents' Association

11/03/2022

Call for Volunteers: Central Music Parents Association (CMPA)

If your child is in band, we need your help!

The CMPA is planning a number of fundraisers for the rest of the year, and we need parents, guardians, and caregivers to help out. You can volunteer a little, or a lot, depending on your availability (in other words, it's a flexible time commitment).

CMPA fundraisers ensure all students, no matter their financial circumstances, can go on band trips, can get help renting musical instruments if needed, receive instruction from specialists, and other benefits.

In particular, CMPA needs parents to help volunteer supervise tree chipping (planned for January 7 & 8), and for Dessert Night in February.

To learn more, contact Nevin Thompson, on behalf of the CMPA, at: [email protected].

04/29/2021

Our next campaign is lawn signs! How great would it be to drive down a street and see "Save SD61 Music" signs on every lawn?

04/22/2021

Protest tomorrow (April 22nd) 3-4:30 at the intersections of Fernwood and Fort/Yates. Bring your own signs and check your email for details!

04/19/2021

Another way to put pressure on the provincial government is to write to your MLA, the premier, and the Minister of Education. Here is a letter template for you, provided by a Central parent - simply fill in the fields left blank, personalize it if you'd like, and send it to the appropriate people (email addresses provided).

Template for concerned citizens of BC to send to their MLA prior to the budget being tabled on April 20, 2021. This is urgent and time-sensitive. Please feel free to adjust, add to, and make personal in your email. Dear (insert MLA name), With schools remaining open during the pandemic aca...

04/19/2021

One of the best ways to spread awareness about the proposed budget cuts is through social media. We need to put pressure on the provincial government to fund the shortfall due to COVID and to lift the requirement that school districts submit a balanced budget during this very unusual and disruptive year. Here are some talking points to address in your social media posts - be sure to use the hashtags provided.

Mission: Convince the provincial government to make up the shortfall caused by COVID (decreased revenue / increased costs) in the upcoming provincial budget.

We are asking the province to make up for the increased costs and lost revenue due to COVID-19 so that school boards are not forced to cut direct services to students.

School districts across the province are facing cuts due to increased costs related to COVID-19 (such as extra cleaning) and lost revenue (IE from reduced rentals and fewer international students)

The provincial government has provided additional support across the economy to help diverse organisations such as businesses and individuals make up for the effects of COVID-19.

SD61 is facing a budget shortfall, the amount needed to completely cover the deficit in only $7.1 million.

If you are posting on social media, use the following hashtags:

04/15/2021

There is a parent meeting happening tonight at 7:00 in regards to the planned budget cuts in music education. Parents from across the district, but especially in middle schools, are encouraged to attend (via Zoom). Here is a link to the agenda:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrwyWaWxvOfC-FHUdpc74A5tMUIHZ_yKYBsHdtA2xmk/edit?usp=sharing

And here is the Zoom link:

https://uvic.zoom.us/j/81786043639

SD61 Advocacy for Music in Schools (AMIS) - Meeting Thursday, April 15, 2021 7:00 PM Agenda Welcome and call for volunteers for Chair of this group (SD61 PAC Advocacy for Music in Schools?) - Karin Kwan, Cedar Hill Music Parent Advisory Summary of cuts to the Middle School Music Program and w...

04/14/2021

Separate from how the SD61 is choosing to allocate its budget next year, Education is massively underfunded in this province and has been for a long time. Why else would districts need to balance their books with international students and gym rentals?

We need to write to our local MLAs, the Education Minister and the Premier. Here are some email addresses for you:
Murray Rankin (Oak Bay/Gordon Head)
[email protected]
Grace Lore (Victoria):
[email protected]
Rob Fleming (Victoria Hillside):
[email protected]
Mitzi Dean (Esquimalt/Metchosin):
[email protected]
Lana Popham (Saanich South):
[email protected]
Adam Olsen (not within SD61, but a local MLA and critic of the NDP)
[email protected]
Sonia Furstenau (also not SD61, but leader of the Green Party and critic of the NDP)
[email protected]
Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside:
[email protected]
Premier John Horgan:
[email protected]

04/14/2021

If you haven't signed the petition protesting the cut to middle school music, here is the link: https://www.change.org/p/jwatters-sd61-bc-ca-dmcnally-sd61-bc-ca-nduncan-sd61-bc-ca-tferris-sd61-bc-ca-ahentze-sd61-bc-ca-school-district-61-don-t-deprive-students-of-an-education-in-music?recruiter=1190792201&recruited_by_id=e45969a0-951c-11eb-bbff-81313bdfcbaa&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&use_react=false

09/19/2020

You should have received a music survey in your email - please fill out and send ASAP!