Funding cuts to educational programs have many worried, and local visual and performing arts (VAPA) students have decided to do something about it. In an effort to raise funds for the La Jolla High School (LJHS) and Muirlands Middle School music programs, the LJHS band joined forces with the Harvard Cookie Girl Cooking School, located at 7441 Girard Ave., to put on a community tea party and brunch on Feb. 13. Almost $2,000 was raised to support VAPA programs. “The recent budget proposal that passed for the 2011-2012 school year scales down the central VAPA office dramatically and is now burdening schools with the cost of maintaining their art programs, where the central office took care of them in the past.” said Michael Fiedler, an instrumental music teacher at LJHS and Muirlands Middle School. “There are a lot of things that we as a program potentially stand to lose.” Fiedler said there are more fundraisers tentatively planned for the remainder of the school year. “We are out to show everyone that the community of La Jolla supports its art programs and is committed to a society where art and music education is encouraged, not undervalued,” Fiedler said. Student musicians provided the entertainment for the Feb. 13 event, which coincided with the La Jolla Open Aire Market. Harvard Cookie Girl provided fresh baked goods and beverages. About 200 people showed up.