Now that the school budget has passed and a new school year begins, I think it's an appropriate time to let people in on one of our best kept secrets, one of the most challenging yet fun programs we have, the Fine Arts Department.

I graduated from Mineola Schools quite some time ago, moved away for many years, but returned a few years ago with my two children, one now in the Middle School and the other in the High School. Both, I'm happy to say, are involved in the music programs, and in the late spring I had the great pleasure of attending their concerts. Those concerts are what prompted me to write.

Mr. Rob Ratner, Director of the District's Fine Arts Department, generously spent more than an hour with me discussing the children of Mineola, their involvement in Fine Arts and the dedication of the many teachers and administrators who encourage our children.

Mr. Ratner has devoted the last 30 years to fine arts education, 17 of those years right here in Mineola, where he has been the District Director since 1987. When he arrived here, there was no orchestral program and only a tiny choral program. His initial goals were to build students' instrumental, voice and theory skills in order to create balanced groups, beginning at the elementary level. Then he and his staff worked to create an environment of excitement for learning, joy in accomplishment and a spirit of teamwork within those groups. Based on what I've seen and heard in our schools, both the students and Mr. Ratner have accomplished these goals.

At the elementary level, every single student is involved in music and visual arts. All have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and every child sings. They are taught some music appreciation and basic theory. Concerts are offered at least twice a year, and often artwork is on display at concert time as well as on election days and during other school activities in classrooms, hallways, gyms and other places throughout the schools for guests to enjoy. Mr. Ratner and the Superintendent of Schools recently established a gallery near the administrative offices at the Willis Avenue School where student works are displayed for all who visit our district offices

At the high school level, about 40 percent of the students are involved in the music program. More than 300 participated in the spring concert. Every performing musical group attends NYSSMA (New York State Scholastic Music Association - a group that evaluates musical performances on several levels). In our district, every student who wishes to play an instrument or sing is welcomed. In surrounding districts, this is not always true. Many other schools in the area send their band, orchestra, or choral group only when the music teacher is sure about the ability of his/her students to perform at top levels and able to attain the highest grades. Even though we allow everyone to play or sing, and we attend every year, our children are frequently among the top-graded groups.

The quality of performances and the artwork shown never fails to surprise me. The music in the high school borders on professional level and is delightful. In the younger grades, the quality is also astounding. As a parent who was among the first in Mineola students from Mineola Schools to attend NYSSMA as part of a choral group, I am continually surprised and pleased by the noticeable growth in the level of difficulty, the style and sophistication of the music played, the growth of these programs and the continuous improvement in the quality of the performances, the dedication of the teachers, and the commitment of the students involved.

It is only through the dedication of Mineola's teachers and administrators, the commitment of the students to hours and hours of practice and hard work for their projects and performances, and the support of homeowners and businesses in our district who have chosen to fund all of these programs by passing the school budget, that these projects and performances are accomplished.

I believe our children and our community are enriched by these experiences, and that all involved should be congratulated on the wonderful work they do. I believe that our students have a much better chance of becoming contributing members of our community and the global community as a whole because of what they learn in the Mineola Schools. It is also clear to me that most of our students are making music and beautiful things instead of trouble.

Alicia Parendo