<p>ITA about music
It is a disgrace that schools only offer music in 3rd and 4th grades ( if then) and if students want to continue they have to have private lessons.
My daughter took lessons through school in 3rd & 4th grade and as I was a single mom at that time- it was difficult to pay for the rental, let alone to consider to pay for private lessons so that she could continue.
Her school did a few years later begin a steel drum program with the inspiration and support from their new principal ( who only lasted three years- two years longer than their last two principals)- which was fantastic- kids didn't have to rent steel drums and they were very easy to learn and fun to play. </p>
<p>I have had good experience with the counseling staff of course I am comparing them to the counselor who was at my daughters previous school who was awful- really awful- he is now at the same high school as the principal who introduced the steel drum program.
( Incidentally the counseling staff is disappearing next year- all will be gone except for Mr Labi- on leave and in new jobs outside the district)</p>