September Newsletter

I am just a few days into my 11th year of teaching, my 10th at 261. I continue to be proud of our arts programs at 261 and the fact that I get to instill the joy of music in our students on a regular basis. Whenever people ask me if I like what I do, I usually say, "It's a fun, but exhausting job." At this point, 1,000+ students have entered my music classrooms over the past decade. While the majority of those students today aren't concert musicians, or still playing their instrument, or singing in an ensemble, or trying out for the lead in the musical, they were fortunate enough to attend an elementary school with a rich diversity and an appreciation for the arts and self-expression. I think many of our former students realize this after they leave. On the 2nd day of school, a group of students from last June's graduating class came to visit. I said, "It's the 2nd day of school and you're already back?!" They said, "Yep! We miss this place and we'll be back to visit every Friday." My hope is that my former students have taken with them the idea that music is a powerful tool, capable of bringing about change in our world, unity in our communities, and a feeling of self-worth and peace in our hearts and minds.

September can be a time of reflection. But a new year also brings new possibilities, new goals and of course new students! This year I am seeing all Pre-K, K, 1st, and 2nd grade classes. Pre-K has music twice a week. This month I'll be getting to know my new students, as well as reacquainting myself with the students who have been in my music class before. We'll also be going over rules and procedures, and with my 1st and 2nd graders, reviewing many of the music concepts we learned last year.

4th and 5th Graders who love to sing.....should try out for Chorus!! Pick up an audition form on my bulletin board outside my door (my classroom is inside the cafeteria). Auditions are taking place during the second half of September with rehearsals beginning in October. Please click the Chorus tab for more information.

On Thursday, September 22nd, we're having our Back to School night from 5pm-8pm. Please stop by if you have any questions, want to find out more about music class, or if you just want to say hi.

I'll leave you with a pic of one of my Pre-K classes. We just made our first circle. Nobody cried, nobody squeezed anyone's hand, nobody yanked anyone's arm. Victorious!!