Our school had an amazing Veteran's Day celebration today too. Outstanding! 30-40 veterans attended and there was music, poetry and amazing stories.

We didn't use any arts funding to make this happen. I have nothing against the arts funding - it is great - but this story is kind of silly implying that if the funding is cut, we can't have Veteran's Day programs.

Strange angle!!

There are a few celebrations that should be remembered and honored in america and honoring our soldiers, living and dead is one of them. It creates a unity of a nation and those that have served it. For our government leaders to even think of dishonoring them is and affront to every american. We should pledge allegiance to our country and soldiers every day in school and if illegals are offended, they are welcome to leave, permanently. Illegals and children of illegals should not be allowed to participate in these celebrations, its hypocrisy and a dishonor to our country.

An illegal alien server at the McDonald's window does not serve america though, and their contempt for america is enough evidence.

Using budget shortages is a poor excuse to inhibit education in the classrooms. We all have a dual mind and half of it is in the creative side of the brain. To inhibit the creative part of the mind would be a big mistake and a loss for america. Arts and crafts stimulate creativity and thought just as much as the technical and mathematical parts of the mind.

This doesn't need to come from the school budget. The PTA would gladly put these assemblies on for free.

There's a HUGE connection here to funding and Arts in Education.

This is not about whether there would or would not be a Veterans Day program. This is about the sad fact that many many schools are losing critical funding that makes education of all our children possible.

Yes, education will still happen, there are many good people who would volunteer freely their time and effort simply for the love of the children, but the quality and quantity of what can happen is far greater when legislators keep money where it does the most good.

I would think that anyone who values children and their education would want to STAND UP for them.

What are you willing to RATION so that the children, who are ALL OUR FUTURE, can have the very best?

Every child deserves the very best, in turn they will give back to us the very best when we are decrepit and aging. What does your future care mean to you?

Yeah for schools who put educating the children first, and who fight for the very best for them!!! Great article, my privilege to know that somewhere out their the BEST is still good enough!

Silly? You were obviously not in attendance. There was nothing silly about this program. Anyone who was there can testify to the fact that this was more than your usual elementary school program. So much more. These children have been forever changed for the better. And, not one of the 35 Veterans left that day without expressing their gratitude for being part of something that honored them in a way they have never been honored before. Without funding there may be programs, but not one like this, not one like this.

This program is only one small part of what the funding pays for. The entire arts program is at risk, not just one small(however important)performance. The program as a whole needs to be saved. Arts funding in our schools is very important and it would be a real loss if the funding is cut.

It is wonderful to see how children can learn through all the different facets of education. No child is exactley like another, they all learn differently. The arts may be the only way a child can comprehend the past so they can know how to go forward in the future. The basics, of course are most important, but a child may not be able to learn the basics without the help of inner well being he/she recieves from the extras. I pray that your school is able to continue all of its special programs.