I have been following the updates, and I think its important to address. I know that many children and families rely on Dance Expressions classes as an important part of their lives. This is not simply a class on a schedule — it is a long-standing community program that has provided consistency, connection, and opportunity for generations of dancers.
To learn that there was a willingness to consider eliminating their advanced classes created for the students who have worked towards this for years, is deeply concerning. It raises important questions about how established recreation programs and the families who depend on them are being considered when decisions are made.
A thriving community is built by recognizing the programs that create connection, belonging, and long-term engagement. Dance Expressions classes represent exactly that and much more — a program where children grow, families build relationships, and students have a place to continue their journey.
I hope this situation encourages a renewed focus on communication, understanding, and protecting the community programs that have spent decades serving Menlo Park families.
A reminder that programs are the heartbeat of a recreation center. They are what turn a facility into a community. When you invest in programs that have built trust, connection, and belonging over decades, you are investing in the people who make the community what it is.
New programs and opportunities are an important part of a growing recreation system, but growth should not come at the expense of programs that have already proven their value, earned the trust of families, and become a meaningful part of the community. The goal should be to build upon what is working — not replace the very programs that have helped create the strong community we have today. I feel like this administration is losing touch with what community truly means.
