Group Recognizes 5 Districts in NE Ohio for Music Education

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Five Northeast Ohio school districts were named in the ninth annual "Best 100 Communities for Music Education."
The school districts are Bay Village, Beachwood, Berea, Cuyahoga Heights and Olmsted Falls. Also on the national list from Ohio were the Lebanon and Perrysburg school districts.

The annual survey is sponsored by the NAMM Foundation, in partnership with leading music and educational organizations, to promote the benefits of active participation in music and music education.

"We commend these school districts for their commitment to assuring that music is part of a complete education for children," said Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director. "Children engaged in music will be the innovation leaders of tomorrow, and there is no better way to build lifelong participation in music than with a solid base of music education."

In addition, research shows a strong correlation between quality music education in school and academic achievement, according to the Foundation. It reports that students involved with music programs develop skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication and teamwork.

A new language: Starting this fall, elementary students in the Olmsted Falls School District will learn to communicate in a new language: Mandarin Chinese.

Classes will be taught after school to students in grades one to five. The classes are being offered through a partnership with Polaris Joint Vocational School. Polaris will fund the program as a two-year pilot project. Classes will take place two afternoons a week at Falls-Lennox and Fitch elementary schools.

Contact the school district at 440.427.6000 for information about eligibility and registration.