Smithtown and East-Northport School Districts Named Best Communities for Music Education in America by NAMM Foundation.
Congratulations are in order to the Both Smithtown and Northport-East Northport School Districts. The two districts are being honored as two of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States in 2016 by the NAMM Foundation. Smithtown and Northport-East Northport School communities have been selected as two of 476 school districts, throughout the Country for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing our youth an extraordinary music education program. This is Smithtown School Districts third year, receiving this incredible distinction.
“We are very fortunate to have a strong music program that continues to thrive in Smithtown… Because of this, our community has once again been recognized by the NAMM Foundation.” -Michael Mastrangelo, Smithtown Central School District’s director of fine arts K-12
In celebration of this nationwide title, over 5,500 students from the Northport-East Northport School School District will showcase their talent in the all day event dedicated to the arts. The 57th Annual Art & Music Festival at Northport Village Park, led by district director of fine and performing arts, Izzet Mergen, will take place on Sunday, June 5, from noon to 5 PM.
The new federal education law, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), defines music and the arts as vital subjects to provide students with a well-rounded education. The Best Communities for Music Education program selects districts to receive this prestigious title based on both education law and the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders.
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization, with approximately 10,300 members around the world, supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. Now in its 17th year, the Best Communities for Music Education program evaluates each school district, based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.