First of all, I would like to thank the parents for their attendance and
participation at our recent Town Hall meeting this past Sunday, January 10.
I was inspired by the turnout, by the thoughtful questions, and the
constructive dialogue that infused the meeting. I also want to thank the
members of the LACHSA Parent Council for their dedication and expert
facilitation throughout this event. I am currently working with them to
provide our responses to all of the questions that went unaddressed. Please
expect these to be e-mailed to all families and posted on our website at
www.lachsa.net.
As you know, we have been working with all of our arts departments to reduce
costs for the 2009-10 budget. There will be no reduction in our personnel
for the 2009-10 school year and virtually all of our arts programming will
remain.. As I outlined at the meeting, the arts chairs and I have been
looking at creative ways to sustain all of the important features of each
program while at the same time reducing overall costs. This has been a
difficult task, but our arts chairs with the support of many of you have
allowed us to achieve significant budget savings.
As we move into the second semester and our very active arts performance and
exhibition season, I want to let you know some important ways that you can
continue to support LACHSA.
Box office receipts for each arts event are part of our revenue stream each
year. This revenue is crucial for the sustainability of the entire arts
program. You can support LACHSA by helping us spread the word about
upcoming arts events. Please continue to support LACHSA by inviting friends and extended family members to our wonderful shows and exhibitions. Helping to ensure that each event is sold out helps
us sustain our arts programs.
Another source of our revenue comes directly from our parent community in
the form of contributions made through the Arts High Foundation. Many of
you have generously contributed funds and on behalf of the entire school
community, I extend sincere thanks.
If you have yet to make a contribution, I encourage you to do so through the
recent appeal that was sent to you by Foundation Board member, Brenda
Barnes. Each and every dollar of your gift will be directed to the arts
department of your choice. Just be sure to make the check out to the Arts
High Foundation and put the arts department that you wish to support on the
memo line.
I am pleased to report that thus far, the recent parent appeal that just
went out over the Holiday Break has already raised over $25K. That's quite
impressive, but we're not out of the woods yet. So, once again, if you have
not done so already, please make your gift at the earliest possible
opportunity.
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