Due to COVID-19, Virginia Beach City Public Schools wants to get rid of the 5th grade strings program. This is very upsetting to many VBCPS teachers and students. 5th grade strings provides a foundation for students when they enter any middle school orchestra. It also gives students the opportunity to explore different types of music and instruments. It can also help young students find a love for music. Young students that see the older students play these cool instruments may want to also play those instruments. If the strings program is gone, it will disappoint a lot of young students. The middle school orchestra teachers are going to have a much harder time trying to teach these beginners with zero knowledge. The strings program allows younger students to have an understanding on how to play the instrument and read the music. Getting rid of the strings program will cause a lot of parents to be upset, along with the students. We need the strings program. A lot of students that took the program say they wouldn’t even be in orchestra if they didn’t have the program. Many teachers are also upset about the situation. Please help us keep the strings program! It’s very important for kids and teachers alike!