Recently the District’s Orchestra instructor, Miss Kristin Freimark, was informed that the orchestra program for grades 4-8 has been eliminated starting next school year. This decision came as a complete surprise to Waterford’s orchestra students, families, and the greater music community. The reason it was a surprise is that it appears the decision was never discussed by the school board in view of the public, or what is called “open session”. There are only a few topics that are allowed to be discussed by a Wisconsin school board in a “closed session”, and for obvious reasons, the elimination of a curricular program is not one of them.
The WGSD Orchestra program has been going strong and meeting the needs of 110-120 students annually in grades 4-8. Based on the District’s own numbers, there has been no decline in the orchestra program participation over the last 4 years. In addition, the community recently approved the Fox River building referendum that was completed this past summer which included a beautiful new orchestra room.
Many parents sincerely hope that the WGSD School Board will reconsider this decision and that they will welcome parent input both now and at the April 26th school board meeting. To learn more about our WGSD orchestra program, enrollment data, and background information click HERE. To contact the Waterford Graded School Board members click HERE.
Also, if you have a student in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade that was hoping to play an orchestra instrument, please complete the orchestra interest survey by clicking HERE.
And below, enjoy just some of the student yearbook photos from Miss Freimark’s program. Many more will be added as the week continues and I receive them. Feel free to send me your photos of past orchestra performances or missing yearbook photos. Many thanks to all that have contributed!
Posted by Matt Kranich on 4/12/2021
mattkranich@gmail.com
WGSD Parent
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