Why do the sixth graders have music every day, while art is required just one day a week?
This decision stems ultimately from the competitive nature of school music programs as opposed to art. With the proliferation of middle and high school band, orchestra and other musical competitions, the need for students to arrive in seventh grade better prepared became more important. When the freshmen in the Lake Highlands area were placed at the Freshman Center, elementary band and orchestra instruction was increased to five days per week. The same was done in the other three attendance areas last year in preparation for freshman programming this school year. In order to have competitive bands and orchestras in the RISD, sixth grade students require more instruction. In most districts, sixth grade is configured in middle schools, which receive band/orchestra instruction every day. Concern has been expressed about the time taken out of the instructional day for sixth-grade students to have band or orchestra five days per week; however, our community has consistently placed great val
