Monday, April 27, 2009
Technology
When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, so annoying! The server was down the entire day today at the middle school. This means no Internet, no email and no gradebook. Hopefully we will be up and running tomorrow. It's amazing how much we use some things and we don't notice until they aren't handy!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
End of the year info!
Below is the text of a note that I started sending home today. You can also download it from the middle school website!
4-22-09
Parents and Guardians—
I am trying to save on the amount of paper I send home, and I have crammed all the info onto one sheet. Three events are discussed below. I highlighted in bold which groups are involved, so you can skim the letter and see what applies to you!
On May 11th, the Colfax-Mingo Middle School will present Fine Arts Night. This event is the final concert of the season, as well as an opportunity to feature artwork of the students involved in Art Exploratory. It is a great night to recognize the accomplishments of the students throughout the year. As was the case for the Winter Concert, Fine Arts Night is a required event. All the bands (jazz, 6th and 7-8) and both choirs (6th grade, 7th-8th) will be performing. The concert should last between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes. Please plan on staying for the entire concert, as all the students have worked hard and deserve the respect of a great audience! Concert dress is the same as usual—look nice and try to avoid jeans and tennis shoes. 7-8 choir is going to wear black and white again. 7-8 choir should arrive at 6:30, all band students by 6:40 and the 6th grade choir should be in their spots in the gym by 6:50.
In addition, 8th grade promotion is Friday, May 22nd. Both the 6th and 7th grade band students, as well as the 7th-8th grade choir are required to attend. This is the first chance to hear next year’s 7-8 band! In addition, the choir will perform an original song! The ceremony should last about and hour and a half.
Finally, the 6th grade band students (as well as some 7-8 band students) will be presenting solos at a solo festival at the CM Elementary on Thursday, May 21st. Students are receiving their solos this week and should spend some time practicing them at home. At the festival, a judge will listen to their performances and give some helpful comments. This is an individual event and each student will be scheduled for a specific 5 minute block of time between 4pm and 7pm. If there are any scheduling needs, I am more than happy to accommodate them, just let me know!
It has been a great year and I am proud of the music these students have made! As usual, any questions, please call or email!
4-22-09
Parents and Guardians—
I am trying to save on the amount of paper I send home, and I have crammed all the info onto one sheet. Three events are discussed below. I highlighted in bold which groups are involved, so you can skim the letter and see what applies to you!
On May 11th, the Colfax-Mingo Middle School will present Fine Arts Night. This event is the final concert of the season, as well as an opportunity to feature artwork of the students involved in Art Exploratory. It is a great night to recognize the accomplishments of the students throughout the year. As was the case for the Winter Concert, Fine Arts Night is a required event. All the bands (jazz, 6th and 7-8) and both choirs (6th grade, 7th-8th) will be performing. The concert should last between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes. Please plan on staying for the entire concert, as all the students have worked hard and deserve the respect of a great audience! Concert dress is the same as usual—look nice and try to avoid jeans and tennis shoes. 7-8 choir is going to wear black and white again. 7-8 choir should arrive at 6:30, all band students by 6:40 and the 6th grade choir should be in their spots in the gym by 6:50.
In addition, 8th grade promotion is Friday, May 22nd. Both the 6th and 7th grade band students, as well as the 7th-8th grade choir are required to attend. This is the first chance to hear next year’s 7-8 band! In addition, the choir will perform an original song! The ceremony should last about and hour and a half.
Finally, the 6th grade band students (as well as some 7-8 band students) will be presenting solos at a solo festival at the CM Elementary on Thursday, May 21st. Students are receiving their solos this week and should spend some time practicing them at home. At the festival, a judge will listen to their performances and give some helpful comments. This is an individual event and each student will be scheduled for a specific 5 minute block of time between 4pm and 7pm. If there are any scheduling needs, I am more than happy to accommodate them, just let me know!
It has been a great year and I am proud of the music these students have made! As usual, any questions, please call or email!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Manners Meal
It is the day of the manners meal! I really enjoy going to these meals with the students because I get to see a different side of them. They always look great dressed up, and they carry themselves so well. It is also really interesting how much more attentive they are in class when they are dressed up! I typically do a lot less reminding about in class behavior on these days. It's a great learning experience for the students--I am glad we have found a way to keep this opportunity through all the budget concerns!
Look for information on 8th grade promotion early next week! The date will be May 22nd and it will begin at 7PM and last about an hour and a half. More info to come!
Look for information on 8th grade promotion early next week! The date will be May 22nd and it will begin at 7PM and last about an hour and a half. More info to come!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Break and More
I hope that everyone is enjoying their breaks! It was certainly time!
I spent the morning updating grades and cleaning up the band room--especially my office. It always seems to take more time than I ever plan. When we come back, it's time for the manners meal--then out next concert is right around the corner on May 11th! It seems like we just finished with the Parade of Bands. In addition, 6th grade students will begin working on solos for a festival at the elementary at the end of the year. This is a required event and gives students a chance to learn some things that they apply to their performance in band, as well as other aspects of their lives. Playing a solo helps develop a comfort in front of an audience, builds self confidence and responsibility, to name a few. 7th and 8th graders who didn't participate in February will have the option to do so in May.
The end of the year is coming fast and that means 8th grade promotion, which I will write about in a future post. I am off to find lunch and head to Rieman's Music to look at discount band pieces!
Hope you have a great break!
I spent the morning updating grades and cleaning up the band room--especially my office. It always seems to take more time than I ever plan. When we come back, it's time for the manners meal--then out next concert is right around the corner on May 11th! It seems like we just finished with the Parade of Bands. In addition, 6th grade students will begin working on solos for a festival at the elementary at the end of the year. This is a required event and gives students a chance to learn some things that they apply to their performance in band, as well as other aspects of their lives. Playing a solo helps develop a comfort in front of an audience, builds self confidence and responsibility, to name a few. 7th and 8th graders who didn't participate in February will have the option to do so in May.
The end of the year is coming fast and that means 8th grade promotion, which I will write about in a future post. I am off to find lunch and head to Rieman's Music to look at discount band pieces!
Hope you have a great break!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Pics from the Jasper County Honor Band
Here are some pics! I would have had more, but the camera battery died and several others were really blurry (bad camera!) Enjoy! We had a great guest conductor, Mrs. Janelle Hook from Ankeny, who did a wonderful job of working with the students!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
