Mtg Notes from Parents Meeting 01/07/2014

[Eckstein Orchestra]

Briefly:  The following notes were supposed to have been sent out last week.  Apologies for the delay.

Camp Casey (Note that this is now in the past)

The Camp Casey trip is this weekend! Kids going on this trip should bring their overnight bags with them to school on Thursday - in addition to their instruments and backpacks for school - and head upstairs to the auditorium balcony. Overnight bags can be left in the balcony, which will be locked once school starts.

At the start of fifth period, kids should return to the balcony, retrieve their bags, and assemble in the auditorium. From there, we'll load the buses and leave no later than 1:15pm.

Chaperones should plan to arrive at school by 12:00noon.

Please remind your students of these ground rules for the trip:

• Each practice room will be monitored. We have lots of chaperones, and coaches, and there'll be a chaperone in or nearby each of the practice rooms to assist as needed.
  
• Students must get permission to go do things. They need to ask a chaperone to go off and do things, not simply tell a chaperone that they're going to do that.
  
• Students don't go anywhere alone. Find a buddy. 
  
• Students must give an itinerary. If you're going off exploring, the chaperone needs to know who is going, where you are going, and when you'll be back.
  
• The fort presents challenges to safety. Please use common sense when exploring that part of the camp. 
  

Icicle Creek Retreat (Senior Orchestra)

The Icicle Creek trip is coming up at the end of January. Reuben Loos was not available to provide an update at the meeting last night, but everything appears to be in good shape for this trip. We'll provide more details later in the month.

Unfortunately, the Roosevelt open house for incoming ninth graders will happen while the senior orchestra is away at Icicle Creek, and so they'll miss that opportunity. We have learned, however, that with advance notice (contact the RHS front office), tours of the school can be taken either at 11:00am or 1:30pm daily.  Alternatively there is also a combined NE region high school information night planned for Feb 4th from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Eckstein Auditorium. Click HERE to view the flyer.


Hawaii Trip

The rumored trip to Hawaii over Spring Break is looking less likely. The cost of the trip is one reason, and a number of eighth-graders are already planning (and paying) for summer trips to Costa Rica or Japan with their language-class compatriots.

Western Washington University

Despite repeated inquiries, there has been no word on the WWU competition.

Solo and Ensemble Contest

The Solo and ensemble contest is March 22nd at Eckstein. This is an opportunity for individuals or small groups to perform, with adjudication, in an familiar and friendly environment. Information should have come home with your son or daughter this week.

Orchestra Preservation Plan

A good amount of the time at last night's meeting was spent on this one discussion item. With the changes coming for the NE Area in the 2014-2015 school year - some of Eckstein's students and reference area being shifted to the new Jane Adams Middle School, and the addition of students from Laurelhurst Elementary, our school will look quite a bit different. 

While it is too soon to tell, it's entirely likely that the overall enrollment at Eckstein won't be much different than it is now, and it's very likely that a larger percentage of students at Eckstein will show an interest and aptitude for music education. Additionally, the increasing enrollment numbers at area elementary schools mean a growing number of students at Eckstein in the near future.

Our first "look" at how things may change come later this month, when Seattle Public Schools releases their budget for the upcoming school year.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Escobedo are encouraging families to speak to the school administration and show our strong support for music programs at Eckstein. The principal needs to know that we value music education in our schools, and wish to see our strong music programs continue. 

Through individual conversations and small group interactions with the principal, it's our hope that we can convey that message to the principal, as well as get a better understanding of the intent of the administration, going forward, with regards to music programs.  When meeting with anyone on this subject please remain positive and encourage dialogue above all else.  Also, the more parents can meet with the principal or anyone from Eckstein on this matter the more information that they will have in relationship to decisions that will be made.

[tanak...@comcast.net]

The 40th Annual Northwest Orchestra Festival (NWOF) at Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon is March 7. 

The WWU Middle School Orchestra Festival (Eckstein has won the Gold Cup the last 2 years) is March 14.

Mr. Smith is in discussions with WWU, the outcome of which will determine whether Eckstein will attend WWU or NWOF.  Note that the last published schedule shows the Winter Concert on March 6, which is the day before NWOF.

--


You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Eckstein Orchestra" group.


To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to Eckstein_FourOrch...@googlegroups.com.


For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.