After reading the article "Schools Deny Arts Downplayed" in the Sept. 24 issue of the Highline Times, I spoke with several elementary school teachers.

I was particularly interested in their reaction to the statement accorded Catherine Carbone Rogers that "Art is commonly taught in elementary schools at least weekly."

Not one agreed with this statement. Rather, they reported that given the emphasis in reading, math, and writing, and trying to squeeze in science and social studies, art is not a part of their regular weekly curriculum.

These teachers said they did try to incorporate some kind of art when they could in conjunction with these subjects, but "art for art's sake" was a thing of the past.

One wondered if Ms. Rogers considered music classes, taught twice a week by a specialist, to be the "art" that is taught at least weekly in our elementary schools. By such a narrow definition, Ms. Roger may be technically right, but music is just one facet in the wide world of art.

I already felt that art was falling by the wayside, and I understand that budgets and test results are factors in today's educational choices, but I'm alarmed that the Highline School District is not being entirely truthful to parents about the decline in school art programs.

Yes, reading and math are vitally important, but so is art - and the fact that our elementary teachers are no longer allowed the time to commonly teach art even just weekly is a sad, sad state of affairs.

Mark Bergin

Burien