By HOI ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A group of what one person described as “seriously fired up” junior high band parents prompted District 87 school leaders in Bloomington to make a schedule change in the school day next fall.
Those kids, however, will have to get up earlier each day.
District officials heard complaints from parents at last week’s school board meeting, and they received an online petition with almost 2,000 signatures.
The controversy stemmed from District 87 deciding to devote more time during the day for social and emotional learning. The drawback was that students were forced to choose between continuing their musical endeavors or taking other “Arts for Life” electives.
“Most of us know from life experience that creative arts are the places for social and emotional development, where we build relationships and trust through collaborative projects,” a parent said in a Facebook post.
Facing public pressure, administrators and the school board have now come up with a plan allowing music students to do both.
“You shared and we listened,” the district said in a YouTube video for parents posted on Thursday,
The junior high is adding a “zero hour” physical education class for music students at 7:30 a.m. so they can take another elective.
District 87 is providing transportation to eligible students to get to school for the early PE class.
A parent said she’s “beyond proud” that “seriously fired up” band parents and concerned citizens spoke out spoke out and caused the change.
