If you ask any of the students in band at Abington Heights High School, they will tell you that there is only one reason the experience is as incredible as it is: Mrs. Hetzel, the band teacher. Nobody works as hard to create a community that encourages musicians to develop their passions and stick with what they love. Not only can she play any instrument you can think of, but she truly pours her soul into her teaching. She willingly gives free after-school lessons, organizes events for musicians to grow, and inspires her students each and every day to be the best they can be.

The Abington Heights School Administration  wants to move Mrs. Hetzel to the elementary schools, where she won’t be teaching any band whatsoever. Not only is she more than qualified to teach both middle and high school band, but she is so close to each and every one of her students. They come to her with their problems and frustrations, and she does everything in her power to support them. The writers of this petition, seniors Avery Orbin and Julie Dzikowski, know so many that would not continue to participate with a different teacher. It is impossible to find someone else as passionate and loving as Mrs. Hetzel.

We are encouraging the Abington Heights Music Community to step up. This cannot happen to our music department. Many students joined band for next year after Mrs. Hetzel was appointed to the position of Marching Band Director. Now that she is being moved down, many students are concerned and will likely drop of out of the initially growing marching band. We do not understand why she would be taken from us when we are finally starting to build improve and expand our concert and marching band under her leadership. Almost all of those we have spoken to in the band stress that they joined solely because Mrs. Hetzel creates a family. The band community is incredibly accepting and encouraging, and it is due to Mrs. Hetzel’s passionate teaching alone.

Spread this petition. Sign it, post it, share it. Our Abington Heights band students need Mrs. Hetzel.