Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School

Upcoming Events

May 23rd:  5th Grade Performance 6:30 PM

May 24th:  Safety Patrol Picnic

May 28th:  No School - Memorial Day

May 29th:  PTA Meeting 6:30 PM

                  Chorus field trip/chorus party

June 5th:  Volunteer Appreciation

June 6th:  Field Day

June 12th:  5th Grade Promotion 1:00

June 13th:  Last day of school

Greetings Buckman Families,

First off, congratulations and thanks to our Art Show & Sell team, especially co-chairs Samantha Bruner and Frances Kappes for their leadership. I’d also like to thank the committee members for their hard work and all the volunteers who made this event a rousing success! From the moment we opened the doors Friday night until we closed Saturday late afternoon, we had a constant stream of art lovers, shoppers, and Buckman families (current and alumni). The variety of art was an impressive sight and the food was delicious — my personal favorite was Bro Dog Bratwursts! The happiest volunteers were stationed at the front door thanks to the incredible smells coming from the Cool City Kettle Corn stand. The whole city looks forward to this event and again this year we did not disappoint.

Today I will share budget information with our staff and wanted to give you the same news. Our school is taking deep cuts in staffing, as are most schools. Even with the Foundation’s generous support, I had to un-assign two full-time staff members. Unfortunately, our Arts program is the only place we can make reductions. The staffing budget allotted to us this year covers classroom teachers and, as always, does not include additional money for our Arts Specialists. We have made every effort to keep our Arts team intact but in the end it was not possible. The two staff cuts are to visual arts and dance. We still plan to have a music/drama position here next year. I want you to know that I fully understand how essential the Arts are to our students and this community. There is simply nowhere else to reduce or other options at this time.

This is only the beginning of a long process and it will be up to us as a community to decide the next steps for our program. I anticipate that the PPS Board will approve the budget, bringing these cuts to reality. Our Special Education Coordinator position has also been cut; therefore, we will not have this support for our students. Thankfully, one full-time counselor is assigned to help support our students in Special Education. We are also still fighting valiantly to help maintain our SUN partnership.

Please remember that the school budget cuts are Statewide and not just PPS. I will be working with our Foundation, PTA and Site Council to help generate supportive ideas for our financial situation. Please get involved and show your support as we move forward with these reductions. I will keep you posted as ideas and plans are devised.

Thank you; we appreciate and need your support more than ever.

Sincerely, Brian Anderson