By Sally Hu 

I am sending this update as I have received a number of emails from people asking what they can do and what's next.  

The attached compliant form was submitted to FUSD today specifically on the classroom scheduling impact to the orchestra next year.  If you are concerned about this or would like to help support this, I would like to invite you to send an email expressing your opinion and telling your student's story to the following school leaders. You can copy and paste the below email list. 
mmiller@fremont.k12.ca.us;jmaxwell@fremont.k12.ca.us;dcampbell@fremont.k12.ca.us;acrosbie@fremont.k12.ca.us;larry4sb@aol.com;yangshao7@gmail.com;mberke@fremont.k12.ca.us
Thanks,Sally
PS
If you would like to view this being presented at the last school board meeting, you can do so athttp://www.ustream.tv/recorded/63066068.The pertinent sections are in "June 3, Part 1 of 3" file, at 57:15through 1:07:55. 

    From: Sally Hu <husally2@yahoo.com>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 8:56 AM
Subject: FYI - Hopkins Orchestra and Choir touch point for next school year

Dear Orchestra parents,
I am a band parent with 3 children in the programs, one of which is at the high school where I had opportunity to know the new choir teacher being brought into Hopkins next school year.  Through conversations with him, Ms Miller, and next year's Hopkins PFA president, I came to learn the below information about scheduling for next year.  I am sending it to you as it affects the Hopkins Advanced Orchestra.  You may not be very familiar with how Advanced Orchestra works yet.  Traditionally it has been held 5th period for many years because that is the only period where students can start tuning before class actually starts. If students don't do that, then they only have ~20 minutes of actually playing time together.  Many Advanced Orchestra students take Social Studies 0 period (before school) so tuning before school for a 1st period class isn't an option.  Some days they split into a sectional into the room next door, however, the school is planning for the choir to be there (these are rooms 23 and 24, the band and orchestra rooms).  If you want to discuss this with the school, you can reach out to the principal Ms Miller.  Also there is a group of parents attending the school board meeting tomorrow night (June 3rd) at 6:30pm, which you are welcome to join.  
All the best - Sally
The new choir class for next school year is planned to be taught 5th period in room 24 or 23.  This is at the same time as Advanced Orchestra.   
  -          The wall between these two rooms is not insulated and if there is too much "sound competition" between the two groups, the school district may look at improving the wall.  (can be up to about 60 decibels from orchestra to the choir). 

  -          The orchestra would not be able to have sectional specialty work in the adjacent room as they do now. 

  -          Orchestra students will likely be allowed to walk over and use one of the available rooms on campus (eg room 5 is not being used) and carry stand and instrument during class or passing time.  Some instruments would need to be tuned again after being moved.   This reduces the amount of time to learn and practice during class.     


  -          The choir will be taught by Mr Aucoin who is the Mission High School Choir Director (this is when he is available).  The reason Advance Orchestra is 5th period is so the students can use lunch time to tune their instrument.     

 Band and orchestra parent donations were used to renovate room 24 from a metal shop to the orchestra room a few years ago.  However, scheduling is a complex process and this is the school administration has found this is the best use of class room space overall.