That's a WRAP! The First Arts Wrap Up Goes BLOGGER!

Inspiration: 

• I am inspired by grit.  I see it in our teachers AND in our students.  Seeing teachers and students persevere through circumstances they sometimes have little to no control over, working hard to accomplish goals we set for them in music, art and performance classes fills my heart.  Your classroom is a place where students experience inspiration, hope, creativity and positive energy; a safe harbor for our future artists, musicians and performers.  
• What is grit?  Take this online survey from the University of Pennsylvania to see if you have it!  https://sasupenn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06f6QSOS2pZW9qR?utm_source=Dan+Pink%27s+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1a2fb15b3a-May_Newsletter_Pinkcast_announcement_5_2_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4d8277f97a-1a2fb15b3a-312966197&goal=0_4d8277f97a-1a2fb15b3a-312966197
• I am also inspired by Ms. Nicole Laprise's young Orchestra Student in the video attached!  Check her out!

Student Kudos:

• It is with great excitement that I inform you that BMC Durfee Student, Angela Reed has been chosen as the recipient of the Southeastern Massachusetts Schools Bandmasters Association Band College Scholarship.  This $1000.00 award will be sent to her teacher, Matthew MacMullen.  He will present the scholarship to Angela at her high school's spring concert.  Congratulations to Angela for all of her dedicated work in her musical ensembles, and for earning this token of local music educators' appreciation for a job well done.
• Kudos also go out to all of the aspiring musicians who attended the FRPS Annual Solo Festival!   It was so exciting to see our students getting adjudicated- individualized feedback for improvement is essential for musicianship, and these students rocked it!

Collaboration and Growth:

• Teachers are collaborating this month as they wrap up supply orders for the upcoming school year.  These lists are due to me on May 13th, so please make sure that the packets make their way to my office by then so I can process your needs.  
• K-5 Music Teachers met on Thursday- they are continuing to work on the map for K-5 music objectives, tasks, vocabulary and assessments.  
• K-5 Art Teachers will meet Thursday, May 12th.  
• Middle School Art/Music/Theater Teachers will meet on Thursday, May 19th. 
• Durfee Fine and Performing Arts Teachers will meet with the faculty on May 10th and then as a Department on May 18th.  

Check this Out:

• Art Teachers!  Check out this fellow art teacher's blog..  It was ranked 2nd place in the Art Ed Blog of the Year Contest...  Super cool stuff, and what a great way to communicate with students, parents and the community!  http://www.artwithmre.com/
• K-5 Music Teachers!  Looking for new engaging ideas?  Take a look at these: http://www.nafme.org/lesson-plan-ideas-for-k-5-general-music-classes/
• Middle (and high) School Theater Teachers!  Take a look at this District Google Site for their Theater Program..  Soup to Nuts!  https://sites.google.com/a/fitchburg.k12.ma.us/maa-middle-school-drama/home
• Arts staff, need to look in to summer courses for your own professional growth?  Here are a list from UMD!  http://www.umassd.edu/artsoceana/

Eval Nuts and Bolts, Continued:

• One year plan teachers: please continue to add evidence to your Baseline folders that best supports the claim you are making or the standard you are demonstrating proficiency in.  Summative meetings will be planned for the second and third weeks in May, so make sure that when we mark these meetings in our calendars, we remember that all evidence will need to be uploaded one week prior to the meeting date. 
•  Two year plan teachers: you are either at the formative or summative point, and should also be uploading evidence.  Please remember to think about the following questions as you prepare for these meetings:
• SLG: How will I communicate the growth of my students in a way that is comprehensive for my evaluator?
• What artifacts will support my rationale as to this growth?
• PPG: How have I demonstrated growth in my Professional Practice, and how has this growth impacted my work, and that of my students?

Arts Around Us:

• The Narrows: http://www.narrowscenter.org/- Saxophone DUO- Greg Abate and Richie Cole, Thursday, June 2nd.
• New Bedford Art Museum: Artist Talk- ANDRE SMITS- Free talk on 5/12 at 6PM!  Go listen!
• Tiverton Four Corners- Hosting 4th Annual Spring Nestival...  Saturday and Sunday- noon to 5Pm.  
• Bristol's Stone Church Coffee House- Aoife Clancy and the Meadow's Brothers- May 7th: Doors open at 6:45
• Ever want to sneak into our old Victorian Dames to take a look at the amazing architecture?  Fall River Preservation Society will run a historic home tour on Saturday, May 14th from noon to 4PM.
• Missing Prince like I am?  Triple Bill Tribute Concert: Prince, James Brown and Stevie Wonder will all be covered!  May 13th at 7PM at the Eagle Event Center.  www.eaglefallriver.com

​Celebrate Mother's Day​!  

Thank your moms (in Heaven and on Earth)  for bring you into the world!