Who do I contact? How can I help?
The NSBA thanks you for your support on behalf of all Nova Scotia band members – we are stronger together.
Our work is continuing this week. We need your support to see these efforts truly have an impact.
EMAIL SUBJECT: Urgent Call for Support
As you know, singing and wind instrument playing are fully banned in our Nova Scotia schools. It is vital that students have access to these experiences in school. The impact of these decisions will be long lasting and we need to see this policy reversed for the sake of our students.
Quick background:
- This letter was sent to the government outlining research & the many reasons why singing/playing should be allowed in schools.
- The Back to School policy banned singing and wind playing entirely, but allows students to participate in physical education classes unmasked, without gathering limits.
- Parents and music educators began speaking up about this inequity and the importance of music in schools. Here are a few highlights:
We are asking you to lend your voice to these efforts. We know you’re busy, so we’ve created a template for you to use below. If you would like to add personal details or experiences, please feel free.
Music is not an extra. Music is a core component of our education system. This need is urgent. Please take a moment from your day to make a difference in Nova Scotia schools.You represent students whose lives have been forever changed by music and your voice really CAN make a difference.
| Please use the letter template below to speak out for Nova Scotia students and send to ALL contacts listed at the bottom.
FOLLOW and SHARE Nova Scotia Music Education Council’s Facebook posts with your friends and followers. Spread the word that #MusicMatters!! |
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
AND YOUR LOCAL REGIONAL CENTRE CONTACTS:
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, jmcnutt@tcrce.ca, ryan.macdonald@tcrce.ca |
Who do I contact?
Below you will find recommendations for the most effective avenues of communication in order to have your concerns addressed. The NSBA thanks you for your support on behalf of all Nova Scotia band members – we are stronger together.
For Future Projects
Regional Centres for Education Avenues of Communication:
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 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 band programs the NSBA 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
If you would like to join the NSBA Band Advocacy Committee please contact:
Hope Gendron
NSBA Executive Director
nsband@eastlink.ca