March 10th, 2023

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Happy March to you ALL!










A very happy Friday to you all!  As we wrap up the first full week in March, here are some things that I want to share and have on my mind...  and a Super BIG WELCOME to Michael (Ike) Dodge, our new art teacher at Durfee!

  • The SCCAL After School Arts Program is a great thing to see!  I was there for a little visit on Tuesday and the kids are so cool.  Must be the teachers rubbing off on them LOL.  Special thanks go out to Vicki Petersen and Dierdre Smith who are leading the art and music groups, and Vanessa Reis (para at Durfee) leading yoga!
  • Also, props to the third grade students (and teachers) from Letourneau, Doran and Greene who visited the Zeiterion Theatre on Tuesday to see the NB Symphony Orchestra perform in the Young People's Performance of "Symmetry in Shapes and Sounds."
  • At Monday's PD block, we worked on a TON of stuff.. curriculum maps, syllabi, scaffolds for specific lessons.  In the band and orchestra group, we worked on planning out the All City concerts that are coming up as well as the adjudication festival in May.  There was some positive mojo in those rooms as I walked through and observed.  Special thank you to Chelsea Burnham, Rochelle Pettenati and Nicole Turgeon for leading the teams of K-8 Music, K-8 Art and Band/Orchestra!  We appreciate your leadership, and love where you are driving our bus!  Also, special thanks to Jenne Mattei for allowing us to gather in her cool art studio.  




Next up...
  • K-12 Arts Expo:  So, we know that this district wide event will be on Thursday, May 18th.  To assist K-8's, there will be no department meetings from here forward so you can use this time to prepare the artwork of your cohorts.  I will send you the rolls of Kraft paper later in April/May, unless you want it sooner.  I just don't want the masking tape/tape/glue to dry or not be working when it's showtime.    
    • On the day of the Expo, I will request for you to be released to come set up the event with me.  Stay tuned.
    • As always, teachers will send out the shared postcard/flyer to all families inviting them.  I will also be sending it through ParentSquare to all schools.
    • On the weeks leading up to the event, we can remind parents of the Expo, and I hope to see you all there and celebrate with you!
    • The Friday after the show, I take it all down in the morning with a few arts students.  I then roll up the work and return it to you.  That way you can do your things
  • All City Band and Orchestra Concerts: 
    • All City Band Practice- 3/23
    • All City Band CONCERT- 3/30
    • All City Orchestra Practice- 3/21
    • All City Orchestra CONCERT- 3/29

  • Read Aloud/Music in Our Schools Month!  Itsva Hernandez and I visited Ms. Villers' 3rd grade classroom at Doran to read "Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin" on Tuesday and the kids LOVED it!  While I read the story to kids on the rug, Itsva played her violin for them (the book has little interludes where playing fits in just right!).  It was SOOOOOO heart warming to see our kids eyes light up when she played, and I bet that we will have a BUNCH of those kids join orchestra in 4th grade next year!
  • Michael Troy Donation: The Michael Troy Memorial Fund team has donated a check for $6,000 from the November 2022 concert!  These funds will be used to purchase music instruments for the Durfee Music Department, as was the wish of Michael Troy before his passing.
Nuts and Bolts:
  • Lesson Plans- please send these to your building designee and me on Monday mornings, and thank you to those who do this weekly!  Super appreciate you.
  • Please send, share or have substitute plans ready if you are out.  It's great to have rosters printed in a folder on your desk. When putting your absence on Aesop/Frontline, please try to have it in before 6:30AM.  
  • Good Friday is Friday April 7th- no school that day!
  • Spring Break is April 17-21
  • Daylight Savings is this weekend!
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Jackie

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