Save Newton Public Schools'
Elementary Strings Programs

Save Newton Strings is a group of parents, guardians, students, alumni, and community members fighting against harmful cuts to the Newton Public School Elementary Strings Lessons and Orchestra Ensemble Programs.

How you can help.

For more details about how you can help, see How you can help.

Why we're doing this.

The new school budget proposes cutting the elementary school strings and orchestra programs district-wide effective July 1, 2023. We believe that every child deserves a musical education regardless of their family’s ability to access instruments or pay for private lessons.

We feel that the ripple effects of this cut will be deep and long-lasting. We feel that a music education is more necessary than ever in these divisive times and after pandemic-disrupted schooling. The benefits of instrumental instruction and participation in a musical ensemble as a community are endless, including those to social-emotional health, inclusion and encouragement of diverse learning styles and skills, and in all learning areas. The best time to start an instrument is at a young age, and many children will never discover the joy of learning an instrument if their first introduction is in middle school or beyond. 

We know that the high school music programs are jewels in the district, so the effects of this cut at the elementary level will be wide and gut participation in middle and high school, threatening their viability as well. We also believe that every child deserves a musical education regardless of their family’s ability to access instruments or pay for private lessons.

Program cuts for 2023-24.

Strings lessons and orchestra ensemble instruction will not be available to elementary students. This means that in 4th grade, students will not have the option of learning a string instrument at school (and usually, this introduction to instruments leads to joining the school orchestra in 5th grade and beyond). This also means that all elementary orchestras, which are available across many grades, will be eliminated.

All of Newton's fifteen elementary schools are impacted starting July 1, 2023:

All of Newton's 4 middle schools will be impacted starting school year 2024-25 without feeder musicians from the elementary schools:

Both of Newton's 2 high schools will be impacted starting school year 2027-28 without feeder musicians from the elementary schools:

All City Ensembles will be impacted starting July 1, 2023.

Hear what the students have to say:

"When I wake up on Friday, I'm so excited to learn new notes and play it with my friends."
— Jules, Newton Elementary School Student

"I love to play. It calms me and it is so much fun to have class with my teachers and peers."
— Clara, Newton Elementary School Student

"I am always looking forward to violin because it is so fun, so please please please let us please have strings."
— Naomi, Newton Elementary School Student

— Wanda, Newton Elementary School Student

Have questions, suggestions, or want to get involved? Email us at SaveNewtonStrings@gmail.com.