Please use the letter template below to speak out for Nova Scotia students and send to ALL contacts listed at the bottom.I am a parent of children attending Nova Scotia schools. I am emailing to oppose the current ban on singing and wind instrument playing in school. My children, like many others, rely on access to music education in schools. It is a vital part of our public education system and singing and playing are necessary for students to experience music making.
Nova Scotia students are in school because it is the best place for their well being. Our children rely on music making in school for their mental health and well being. This ban on singing and playing is negatively impacting Nova Scotia students and music programs, and these impacts will be long lasting.
I have heard interviews and read Letters to the Editor outlining the inequity in school policies for music students and I agree: students should be allowed to sing and play in school, especially considering that students are able to participate in physical education class without any gathering limit and without masks.
I have read the open letter sent to you and other government elected officials and employees on January 10, 2022 by national and provincial organizations, including the Nova Scotia Band Association and Nova Scotia Choral Federation. The letter cites current research and outlines the many reasons singing and playing can and should be allowed in schools. I encourage you to review its contents and ensure students are able to return to music making through singing and playing in our schools.
I request a personal reply to my email on this very serious matter.
Name
SEND TO:
educmin@novascotia.ca,Educ-DM@novascotia.ca,steve.machat@novascotia.ca,chris.boulter@novascotia.ca,ardith.haley@novascotia.ca, pwozney@staff.nstu.ca, sbrooks@staff.nstu.ca, jmacnutt@nstu.ca, Health.Minister@novascotia.ca, jeannine.lagasse@novascotia.ca, Robert.Strang@novascotia.ca, Kelly.Dean@novascotia.ca, Vanessa.Chouinard@novascotia.ca, PREMIER@novascotia.ca
Who else do I contact?
Below you will find recommendations for the most effective avenues of communication in order to have your concerns addressed. The NSCF and NSMEC thank you for your support on behalf of all Nova Scotia choral community – we are stronger together.
AND YOUR LOCAL REGIONAL CENTRE CONTACTS:
Regional Centres for Education Avenues of Communication:
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education executivedirector@avrce.ca, pat.murphy@avrce.ca, maria.carty@avrce.ca
Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education susankelley@cbvrce.ca, lcrawford@cbvrce.ca, murquhart@cbvrce.ca, andrewla@cbvrce.ca
Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education adamsgs@ccrce.ca, callaghana@ccrce.ca, duguays@ccrce.ca
Halifax Regional Centre for Education eleroux@hrce.ca, aking@hrce.ca, jchaulk@hrce.ca, pdanyluk@hrce.ca, MBreen@hrce.ca
South Shore Regional Centre for Education pash@ssrce.ca, jdewolfe@ssrce.ca, bwoodfordcollins@ssrce.ca
Strait Regional Centre for Education cheryl.macpherson@srce.ca, paul.landry@srce.ca, darrell.leblanc@srce.ca, wanda.fougere@srce.ca
Tri-County Regional Centre for Education jared.purdy@tcrce.ca
It is recommended that you voice your concerns to your regional representatives in the following sequence:
Fellow Parents (Music/Band Auxiliary, Home & School, School Advisory Co
Local School Principal
Local Family of Schools Supervisor
Regional Program Coordinator
Regional System Supervisor
Regional Executive Director of Education
You can find contact more information for your Regional Centre for Education here.
Political Avenues of Communication:
Minister and Deputy Minister of Education – Contact Information
Opposition Parties’ Education Critic – Liberal, New Democratic Party
Local Member of the Legislative Assembly – Find your MLA
For concerns related to community choral programs the NSCF recommends contacting the following public officials:
Local Municipal Councillor
Local Municipal Chief Administrative Officer
Local Municipal Department of Recreation and Culture
Local Mayor
You can find contact information for your local municipality here.
Local Member of the Legislative Assembly – Find your MLA
Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage – Contact
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