PAACSM

Looking for information on the Parents for Anne Arundel County School Music?

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Here is an overview of the meeting!

¨       After introductions for all attending and remarks from AACPS Coordinator of Music David Kauffman, Steve Hakala provided an overview of the PAACSM organization and a history of its inception. 

o   The structure of the PAACSM organization is modeled after the parent music advocacy group in Howard County.

¨       Robin Strempek presented the four areas of focus for the organization:

o   Honoring - consists of running the “Teacher of the Year” program where teachers can be nominated by their peers, trig students, or parents of those students. The program provides a vehicle for people to show teachers how much we believe in their work.

o   Advocacy - highlight and promote our amazing music program activities and school programs. We will also monitor school board discussions and keep parents informed.

o   Providing - help with instrument exchange/refurbishment and coordination of ad hoc instrument activities like arranging instrument transportation.

o   Promoting - bringing concerts and other music events to the schools, and making parents aware of music events in the community.

¨       PAACSM’s success

o   The organization’s success will be partially dependent on the breadth of the network (people and organization) the group can build. This network will enable PAACSM to communicate with parents and businesses throughout the County.

§  School Music Booster groups

·         Booster groups can help PAACSM build the network. 

·         We have contact information for some booster groups:

Broadneck HS, Jackie Knox, President, jackiedknox@verizon.net

Severna Park HS, Ben Regalado, President, President@sphsmusic.org

·         Please send PAACSM contact information for booster groups not listed here. 

¨       PAACSM meeting agendas

o   PAACSM will meet monthly; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 7 at 7 PM in the Broadneck HS Chorus Room (the location of our 10/5 meeting).

o   Our plan is to rotate the meeting location throughout the County. Please let us know if your school would be willing to host a meeting. 

o   We will form a committee for each of the focus areas. The committees will meet for the first part of the meeting and then report to the larger group at the end of the meeting. 

§  The committees can do committee work outside of the monthly PAACSM meetings.

¨       Dave Kauffman talked about the common goal between the PAACSM and the County (promoting music within the AAC public schools)

o   Dave asked PAACSM to attend the upcoming board meeting and let the board know about the positive trend in the number of elementary students enrolled in the music program, and let the board know that PAACSM supports the music program request for a 2.0 increase in Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) resources for elementary music.

§  County elementary music program data:

·         2016: 8302 elementary students enrolled in music (of 78000 students total) or 10.6% of the total student population

·         2017: 10443 elementary students enrolled in music (of 82000 students total) or 12.7% of the total student population