There’s been a lot of news lately about our schools and the numerous challenges they are facing, and focusing instead on some positive development at our schools is long overdue.
We are so fortunate to have an amazing band program at all levels in our school district, up through Carlsbad High School. Ken Young, Robert Galindo and the entire band do an outstanding job.
At a recent middle school concert, Young talked about how many of the top 20 students in each graduating class are in band, and it was an impressive number. Even more significant- only a very small number of the students with the band haven’t completed high school. The message was clear – encourage your kids to stay in band (or another similar activity) if you want them to succeed.
There’s also a great feeder program – Young and Galindo are both involved at the middle school level, and transition to the high school is very smooth. Kids get to feel included at a very young age.
Of course, band isn’t the only local activity that is wonderful for students, but it is certainly one that comes to mind for anyone who participated in this past weekend’s Martin Luther King Jr. march. The band led the way.
Special credit to members of strut – also known as the drum line. The outstanding drum line participates in community events and parades – even when the entire band isn’t able to do so. Strut won the travelling trophy at last week’s Martin Luther King Jr. march and they performed at the ceremony as well. Members of our band also did a great job at Ricky Garcia’s recent awards ceremony. They make every event more special.
It’s easy to get caught up in the testing lines and COVID-19 notifications and just feel like that’s the only thing going on right now. But it’s important to stop and remember just how many really neat things are going on at our schools as well. Our basketball teams both have winning records, and we have kids practicing hard every day at sports such as swimming and wrestling. We have after school STEM, theater, choir, BPA programs, and numerous other activities. We have our incredible band program, and students who are so inspired by this activity that they are also improving in school. Mostly, we have an incredibly dedicated group of men and women who are coaching, directing, teaching and instructing every day – and who are giving our children and grandchildren positive memories that will last a lifetime.
We can’t let the barrage of COVID-19 testing texts cause us to forget about all of the great developments that are taking place as well.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway