Readers respond: Art, enrichment matter for students

Recently, I attended the 8th grade production of the play “

Too many detectives at the murder mansion

” at Mt. Tabor Middle School. My grandson was involved. The 8th graders pulled that dramatic presentation together without major hitches and with lines well-learned, using remarkable stagecraft and costuming and with wonderful character depictions —a Miss Marple, a Sherlock Holmes, a Batman, a Sam Spade and a Nancy Drew.

The audience was in stitches much of the time. Not to mention the education these students received in collaboration and public speaking. The kids learned more about drama from this production than they would during a whole year of simple reading—even if completely devoted to drama.

After the bows and applause, the audience was told that the school will be losing its drama teacher next year because of cuts to the budget, (“

With enrollment declining and costs going up, Portland Public Schools tightens its belt — again

,” April 23). This is a tragedy for those who follow the current 8th graders. Our children thrive on the enrichment programs of our schools. We must retain them, budget cuts or not!

Susan S. Baker, Portland

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