LEVY: Pays for positive programs

I had the pleasure of taking my two young sons, ages 5 and 7, to see the Lake City High School (LCHS) theater production of “Nine Dragons” last week. The quality of our high school theater arts programs at both CHS and LCHS are to be commended.

My family actively seeks out opportunities to share the arts with our young boys. I know their exposure at an early age and the opportunity for them to personally engage in the arts as students from elementary school through high school will give them a well-rounded public education experience that keeps them engaged and excited about school. Whether it be through band, chorus, theater production, exhibition of their original visual art or literary work, these opportunities will encourage traits of self-confidence, persistence, teamwork and creativity.

According to a recent multi-city U.S. Department of Justice study, arts programming not only increased academic performance of those students involved, but also decreased juvenile delinquency and drug use, increased self-esteem, and led to more positive interactions with peers and adults. It would seem to me critical that our community strive to achieve these positive outcomes resulting in better interaction among our children and higher self-esteem reducing the possibility of bullying which remains a serious problem in our schools.

Thank you Coeur d’Alene School District for setting a high bar for our public education system. From excellence in classroom instruction, to perseverance and class on the athletic field, to highlighting the achievements of arts and humanities, we have a public school system that families choose to move to this region for. My family is one who moved to Coeur d’Alene, largely because of the strong public schools this community continues to expect. The Maintenance and Operations Levy on March 12th renews this level of excellence in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the theater. I encourage the community to continue its solid support of our public schools!

LEWIS RUMPLER

Coeur d’Alene