Mar 4, 2016 - the premier educational technology conference in state and we are excited to learn how ... -FiAngs Concert
CW Friday eNews
We Stand Up. We Think Visibly. We are CW!
Mar. 4, 2016
Dear CW Families, With the arrival of March, we have already started to begin to look to next year! We have meetings with our 4th grade schools to begin to transition our new group of CW Thinkers to our school. This week is important for our current 5th grade students as they begin to think about performing arts in 6th grade! CW also was awarded a grant to send 10 staff to the MACUL conference this Thursday and Friday. This is the premier educational technology conference in state and we are excited to learn how to use technology to support our visible thinking! David
CW News Fittings Concert - 6th Graders play for 5th Graders: Tuesday, March 8th: the entire 6th grade performs a concert for the 5th graders. Students will need their instruments (including cellos, basses, baritones, and tubas) and music stand. Students should wear their music t-shirts and blue jeans to school that day. 5th Grade: Please see pages 3-5 for important information for 6th grade performing arts. Your child should have already brought this information home. Chromebooks: With the generous support of our community with the passing of our bond in 2014, we are going to begin to embed technology directly into classrooms to support making our studnets’ thinking visible! Midway next week, each team of teachers will have access to 28 chrome books in their
classrooms.
Tweets of the Week
David Simpson @davidsimpson512 Change is an opportunity to do something amazing - from @gcouros Innovators Mindset
Coffee and Thinking! Be on the lookout for an upcoming Book Study with CW’s Principal, David Simpson. Families will have the opportunity to read the book Making Thinking Visible and spend time discussing, learning, sharing, and reflecting how we can create thinkers in our students at school and at home. Coffee will be provided:) More info to come!
CENTRAL WOODLANDS WEEKLY CALENDAR March 7 - 11, 2016 Monday, March 7 -YMCA Winter II Youth Basketball, Gym, 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, March 8 -FiAngs Concert for 5th Graders, Gym, 2:30-3:30 PM -Tutor Club, FHC NaLonal Honor Society Volunteers, Media Center, 3:45-4:30 PM -HIT Mtg, cafeteria, 3:45-4:45 PM -PoPery Class, STEAM Room, (Tue’s 2/16-3/29; omit 3/22) 3:45-5:15 PM -Bricks 4 Kidz/Jr. RoboLcs, D-7 (Tue’s 1/19-4/19), 3:45-5:00 PM -Winter Baseball Training, Gym (Tue’s 2/16-3/22), 3:45-5:15 PM -YMCA Winter II Youth Basketball, Gym, 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, March 9 -Music fiAngs for 5th Graders -Woodland SkaLng Party (rescheduled from 2/24) 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday, March 10 -Music fiAngs for 5th Graders -Hot chocolate sales during lunch $0.50 -Peaceful Dragon Self-Defense, (1/21-3/24/16) Gym, 6:00-9:00 PM Friday, March 11 -PTO ExecuLve Board Mtg, OCRm 9:00-10:30 AM District Events:
You Can’t Take It With You, one of the most popular comedies in America will be on the stage at FHN, March 10-12 with a hilarious ensemble cast. Long before “Modern Family,” there was the Sycamore family. Make sure you plan to join this madcap group as they live, love and laugh in an evening sure to end up with fireworks. Don’t let them light the fuse without you! The show will take place in the FHN Auditorium at 7:30 PM each night and is one you don't want to miss! Tickets will only be available at the door! Adults $8 and Students $5! See you at the show! ---------------------------Warm up with Ariel, Prince Eric and all your favorite sea creatures. Join us for this once in a lifetime show! Tickets are already half-way sold out . Get yours before they are gone! March 17 & 18 7:30 March 19 3:00 & 7:30 Tickets available at the FAC or go to showtix4u.com
FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS Central Woodlands 5/6 400 Alta Dale SE, Ada, Michigan 49301 ph 616.493.8790
*lmportant Music Information* Dear
Fifth
Grade
Parents/Guardians,
Spring
2016
This is a very exciting time of year for the fifth grade students as they prepare to make their sixth grade music selection. Students have been studying instruments and ensembles throughout the school year. Now they will choose a music selection for themselves. During the music fittings process in early spring, music directors will meet with each fifth grade student guiding them to align their interests with the best sixth grade music choice: either an instrument in the band or orchestra, or using their voice in c h o i r.
FITTINGS PROCESS for STUDENTS
On Tuesday, March 8, 5*^ grade students will attend an afternoon concert given by the 6^^ grade band, orchestra, and choir. At a set time block on March 9 or 10, each child will participate in a "fittings" session with the music directors. The band and orchestra directors will check teeth, lips, arms, and
finger length for a proper fit and have students produce a sound on instruments. Students match pitch and sing for the choir director.
Music directors will then recommend the best choices for each student. In preparation for choosing an
instrument or joining choir, please begin discussing sixth grade music participation with your child/children at home. Directors provide advice, but also hope to learn about your child's interest. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MEETING for PARENTS
Parents/Guardians of students who choose a band or orchestral instrument are requested to attend the instrumental music meeting. Choir parents do not need to attend. Wednesday, May 11, at 6:00 PM in the Cafetorium at Central Woodlands. O B TA I N I N G A N I N S T R U M E N T
During this music meeting, families will learn about how to obtain an instrument. Students are encouraged to have rented their instrument prior to the start of the school year. Under the instrument
Forest Hills Public Schools Daniel Behm, SuDerintendent
I-
rental plan, students receive a new or gently used instrument in good working condition. All repairs are free during the rental period. Most stores will require a down payment to reserve the instrument. Some music stores do include a method book and wire music stand with the rental price. Please ask for the instrument to be delivered to your child's school in late August along with other items purchased, such as the method book, music stand, and materials. This will allow all music students to start playing during the first week of school. We prefer that the instruments not be in the students' hands until teachers can
show the students how to assemble the instrument, create the proper sound, and teach proper technique. We encourage attendance at this meeting to guide you with obtaining a quality instrument. No student will be denied an opportunitv to plav an instrument for financial reasons. Talk to a music
teacher if affording an instrument is a concern. C E N T R A L W O O D L A N D S M U S I C D E PA R T M E N T
Being part of the Central Woodlands Music Program is a fun and rewarding experience! Students will
gain pride as they work hard to refine their own skill set while forming friendships with the other musicians. Such effort is worthwhile because of the many success stories we have seen come through our programs. The Central Woodlands music department is proud to welcome your child to the tradition of excellence established by all of our music ensembles! The music directors can assist you in answering any questions regarding this letter or about our programs. Contact information is listed below: Orchestra Laurie Boomers
Andrew Pool Band Michelle Benjamin
Bob Engelsman Choir Pam Kriekard
[email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Percussion Policy
Students trying out for percussion are evaluated on steady beat, rhythmic accuracy, sight-reading, and performance of a learned piano piece (bring the sheet music/book to the try-out). Since a limited number of percussion students can be accepted, a good fit for second choice is recommended. In order
to be placed in the percussion section, students should have had a minimum of two years of piano prior to 6th grade.
Saxophone Policy
Saxophone is not offered in sixth-grade band; therefore, students interested in playing saxophone in 7th grade should start by playing another instrument in 6th grade. Clarinet is a good choice to begin with because of the easy switch, but other woodwind instruments would be acceptable, too. Saxophone auditions occur at the end of the 6th-grade school year. At the audition, students produce a sound on the saxophone and the director will evaluate whether or not the saxophone would be a good fit. Also, candidates are evaluated on their attitude, effort, attendance, and playing ability throughout their 6thgrade school year. It is understood that those students who are allowed to switch are to enroll in several summer private lessons to prepare for success in 7th grade band.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What instrument should my child play? Each child is fitted for an instrument during the "fittings dates" at school to determine the instrument
that is best suited for that child. When we fit the students, their teeth, lips, length of arms and fingers, along with pitch matching ability for choir are taken into consideration. This recommendation is not absolute, but it gives the students and their parents a good idea of the instrument that might offer a successful experience. Students, with their parent's guidance, will then be asked to submit their first and second choice. Most often, the students are able to play their first choice, however, some students may be encouraged to play their second choice if instrumentation of the ensembles dictates. We have an instrument in our attic. Could our child play it?
The answer depends on many factors. First of ail, can the child physically play the instrument? There are physical characteristics for some instruments that will allow for greater success. If these characteristics are not present, the instrument could be very difficult to master. Secondly, is the instrument in good working condition? When an instrument has not been used for several years, quite often the valves and slides are frozen on brass instruments and the pads will need replacing on woodwind instruments. Can you remind me the difference between band and orchestra? Within the orchestra, you'll find string instruments such as violin, viola, cello and bass. In the band, students can play flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion.
Guitar, while a great instrument to play, is not an instrument found in the Northern Trails 6^^ grade music ensembles.
My best friend is joining band, choir or orchestra. Should I, too? Friends are very important in a young child's development, but should not be the deciding factor for instrument choice. It is very important that during this process the focus is on the instrument and ensemble best suited for individual student interest and strengths. When helping your child/children
decide, consider that 6*^ grade music choice is a one-year commitment. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions. We look forward to working with your students and helping them to reach their musical potential. Musically yours, David Simpson, Principal Michelle Benjamin, Band Laurie Boomers, Orchestra Bob Engelsman, Band Pam Kriekard, Choir Andrew Pool, Orchestra
