TEXT BELOW:
For the tenth consecutive
year, the Newark Central School
District has been designated as one
of the Best Communities for Music
Education in the United States by
the NAMM (National Association
of Music Merchants) Foundation.
Now in its 23rd year, the
Best Communities for Music
Education designation is awarded
to districts that demonstrate
outstanding achievement in efforts
to provide music access and
education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities
designation, the NCSD answered
detailed questions about funding,
graduation requirements, music
class participation, instruction
time, facilities and support for the
music programs. Responses were
verified with school officials and
reviewed by The Music Research
Institute at the University of
Kansas.
“We are once again are
fortunate enough to be recognized
for the amazing music program
that we have here in the Newark
School District,” said Cindy
Briggs, K-12 Music Department
Leader.
“Thank you to the NCSD
Administration for their ongoing,
faithful continued support of
Music in our Schools!”
The award program
recognizes outstanding efforts by
teachers, administrators, parents,
students and community leaders
who have made music education
part of a well-rounded education.
Designations are made to districts
and schools that demonstrate an
exceptionally high commitment
and access to music education.
It also recognizes the
NCSD is leading the way with
learning opportunities as outlined
in the Every Student Succeeds
Act (ESSA). The legislation guides
implementation in the states and
replaces the No Child Left Behind
Act (NCLB) which was often
criticized for an overemphasis on
testing-while leaving behind
subjects such as music.
ESSA recommends music and the arts as
important elements of a well rounded education for all children.
Palmyra-Macedon Central
School District in Wayne County
also received the designation, as
did the Honeoye Falls-Lima
Central in Ontario County.
Nine Monroe County
school districts _ Brighton Central,
East Irondequoit Central,
Churchville-Chili Central, Penfield
Central, Pittsford Central,
Rochester City School District,
Rush-Henrietta, Webster Central
and West Irondequoit _ also
received NAMM’s BCME
designation.
Research into music
education continues to
demonstrate educational/cognitive
and social skill benefits for
children who make music.