Poetry is Useless?

So today in my English class my teacher decided to have a debate on whether poetry should still be taught in schools and even bringing up the question if it's totally useless or not. Well, to my disbelief just about half of the class said that there's no reason to learn poetry in school! Then, the fun part, my teacher let us "discuss" our opinions. The other side basically talked to me and my friend because by the end we were nearly screaming our opinions over them! I'm not sure what you think, but I feel very strongly toward poetry, because it's what has helped me through so many tough times! What's your opinion? Do you think poetry is a lost art for dead people? Or should it still be taught?