Lucy and Tallula Arrigo Create Petition Against Budget Cuts At Toledo Public Schools

In Ohio, two sibling elementary school students created a "kids-only" petition against budget cuts at Toledo public schools. They have collected over 200 signatures so far from fellow students, reports WUPW.

Lucy and Tallula Arrigo say they got the idea after the Toledo Schools Board of Education announced that it was cutting art, gym and music teachers to save $7 million.

They decided that the budgetary benefits couldn't outweigh their beloved arts programs, so they started asking their fellow students at Hawkins Elementary School to voice their concerns.

When asked why she wanted to save school programs, Tallula told WUPW:

"Because we like art, music and gym. Like, the kids at school need to let out their energy and not sit down all day."

Lucy added:

"They're a very special part of the day to most of the students, so we don't want them to leave."

Although the petition has only circulated at Hawkins Elementary School, they are planning to reach out to other Toledo schools.

WATCH:

Comments

[superdestroyer]

07:10 AM on 03/09/2011

So the children are saying that adults should have to give up something to pay higher taxes so that they can have more programs. If music and art are important, the the school system should have cut something else such as ineffective program, alternative schools, or worthless adult education to fund more academic education.

However, teaching English as a second English or teaching troubled teens pays better and creates more jobs than art or music education.

I wonder if the kids will be willing to pay 50% or more in taxes when they are adults to fund ever expanding government programs.

[fozzi58]

10:08 AM on 03/09/2011

That's a great analysis. Reduce the culture and education of our children to save a few bucks.

Of course the future leaders of this country will be children from elitist white rich families that don't have to worry about poor public education. The same families who can actually afford another 3%-5% tax hike, but heaven forbid. They can't allow us "commoners" to have and enjoy art and music in school for our children.

This is how the right elitists control the wealth - by controlling the education of the working class.

[You Are My Density]

01:07 PM on 03/09/2011

F&F Yours is the truly great analysis.

[You Are My Density]

01:07 PM on 03/09/2011

There is probably no more important subject in school than music. Art's great, too, of course, but music has so many benefits, cutting it should be considered a crime. Kids who learn to play an instrument and play in bands and orchestras learn SO much that affects their entire education and lives. They learn teamwork, creativity, perseverance, discipline, and it even makes their brains function better so that they do better in other subjects, especially math. Kids who play in orchestras and bands are hardly ever juvenile or adult delinquents, thus saving society the cost of their incarceration, which is hugely more expensive than education. Learning music gives kids an appreciation and love they will have their entire lives, creating, if not great musicians, at least audiences for our orchestras and operas. Creating something perfect together is supposed to be what our society is all about. You know, "We the people...." Music is symbolic of that process and literally gives the children a sense of accomplishment like nothing else. We deprive our children of culture at our own risk. I know adults who grew up in school districts where they "couldn't afford" music programs, and they still feel deprived even at the age of 40. So before you start disparaging music as fluff, think again. For me, music was my main reason for going to school. It made life worth living. It gave me interesting friends and made school fun and worth getting up in the morning for.

[Spank05]

06:36 PM on 03/10/2011

"There is probably no more important subject in school than music."

Really? More important than learning to read and write?

Nice hyperbole.

[Rowena Keefe]

06:46 AM on 03/09/2011

Kids power! Go the lil tykes.

[grammasher]

05:00 PM on 03/08/2011

Every time I see something like this, I'm reminded that Republicans are SO concerned about our children and grandchildren.

[fozzi58]

10:09 AM on 03/09/2011

^^^Bawhahahaha! Thanks. I was having a bad day until your comment.

[Phong Le]

04:43 PM on 03/08/2011

It would be more logical to get adult signatures. Kids don't vote.

[whyus]

04:14 PM on 03/08/2011

Good for Lucy and Tallula!! You rock.