MA Advocacy Action Items

Massachusetts Advocacy Action Items

The list below includes specific action items and asks for each group of stakeholders. We ask that all music educators take these actions, as well as encourage the parents of your students to take these actions. 

 

First, everyone should sign this pledge: https://www.artsareeducation.org/sign-the-pledge  

Encourage parents, administration, and all stakeholders mentioned below to also sign the pledge. Share on social media! 

 

US Congress Asks

ACTION:

• Complete this form to send a note to your US Representative: https://app.govpredict.com/portal/grassroots/campaigns/edvg-npd/take_action 
• Write our senators asking to pass the current relief bill:
• https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
• https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion 

• The bill will go back through the House for final vote. Be prepared to write your House Representative to encourage a quick vote. 
• https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative 

SHARE: 

• CDC Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html#music-choir-arts 
• Aerosol Study: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294910/third-aerosol-report.pdf 

 

Commonwealth Legislative Asks

ACTION:

• Complete this form to send a note to your Representative: https://app.govpredict.com/portal/grassroots/campaigns/3avsjzc7/take_action 

SHARE: 

• CDC Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html#music-choir-arts 
• Aerosol Study: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294910/third-aerosol-report.pdf 

 

DESE Asks

ACTION:

• MA Contact: Dawn Benski dawn.benski@doe.mass.edu
• Thank them for allowing singing in Massachusetts! Encourage them to continue to make safe guidelines based on the guidelines below.
• Encourage them to expand this guidance to specifically mention Arts and Music: https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2021/113/  

SHARE: 

• CDC Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html#music-choir-arts 
• Aerosol Study: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294910/third-aerosol-report.pdf 

 

School District Asks

ACTION:

• Find your school district information here: https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/
• Identify the Federal programs manager or director, or the Title I director, who is responsible for applying for the ESSER funds. Encourage them to ensure the funds are available for music programs based on these reasons: https://nafme.org/covid-relief-funding-in-the-music-classroom/  
• Ask to pass the School Board Resolution: https://www.artsareeducation.org/our-resolution  
• Ensure scheduling for next year allows for Arts and Music for ALL students, with NO pull out or cuts for “learning loss”.

SHARE: 

• CDC Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html#music-choir-arts 
• Aerosol Study: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294910/third-aerosol-report.pdf 

---

Funding Information

 

MA Cares Act Funding Guidelines: https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2021/113/ 

 

MASS Funds Tracker: https://covid-relief-data.ed.gov/profile/state/MA 

 

ESSER Round 1: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2020/04/ESSER-Fund-State-Allocations-Table.pdf

ESSER Round 2: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/01/Final_ESSERII_Methodology_Table_1.5.21.pdf 

 

DESE Representative: 

    Massachusetts

Dawn Benski

Arts Content Support Lead | Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

75 Pleasant St | Malden, MA 02148

dawn.benski@doe.mass.edu

 

Research and Information Resources

CDC Guidelines: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-staff.html#music-choir-arts 

 

Aerosol Study: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294910/third-aerosol-report.pdf 

 

Reasons to Use Funds In Music: https://nafme.org/covid-relief-funding-in-the-music-classroom/ 

 

NAMM: https://www.namm.org/issues-and-advocacy/music-education/music-education-policy-updates) 

 

NAfME: https://nafme.org/nafme-2021-virtual-hill-month/

 

Action Item Resources 

 

Arts ARE Education sign the pledge: https://www.artsareeducation.org/sign-the-pledge 

 

Write your US Rep: https://app.govpredict.com/portal/grassroots/campaigns/edvg-npd/take_action

 

Write your state rep: https://app.govpredict.com/portal/grassroots/campaigns/3avsjzc7/take_action 

 

School Board Resolution: https://www.artsareeducation.org/our-resolution 

Other Considerations

“Learning Loss”

School districts nationwide are all looking at ways to measure and combat “learning loss” and we need to make sure music education is at this table. We must remain vigilant that learning loss has affected all subjects and that there should not be any pull outs or academic remediation that affects music or other arts. 

 

SEL

Learning from home has made all schools realize the power of Social Emotional Learning and as we start to return safely, we should be incorporating SEL and making sure our administration knows the positive SEL benefits of music-making. This is an amazing resource for arts and SEL: https://selarts.org/  

 

Budgeting

Pay attention to your school district budget process and make sure they are applying for ESSER funds. While districts may be underfunded due to loss of tax revenue from COVID closures