I would like to introduce myself to the new families at AJ.  I am excited to be a part of the “Thunderbird” team and ready to begin a new chapter in my career. 

I grew up on a farm in the Flathead Valley of Montana just south of Flathead Lake.  I attended all twelve years of school in one location and then went on to college at Western Montana in Dillon.  I taught school in Superior for eight years and had a wonderful time, but then had an opportunity to go to Oregon and expand my experience.  I only had two years there due to cutbacks and moved to Auburn.  This is my 28th year and the last thirteen have been at Ilalko.  I received my Master’s in 1996 from Gonzaga in Curriculum and Instruction.

I spend my summers in Montana working on the farm and also with the USDA Forest Service in Missoula.  I am the Assistant Air Tanker Base Manager at the Smokejumper Center and am in charge of loading and parking the aircraft that fly retardant on the fires.  This summer there were a lot of fires around the immediate area and so we were very busy.  We tied a record of 43 loads in one day and also hit the million gallon mark before I came back to school.  This is a picture of a P2V-7. 

 

MUSIC EXPECTATIONS

 

            This year we can start new traditions and set new and exciting goals for the students at AJ.  The fifth grade classes already have a performance slated for the PAC on October 24.  This is the district choral festival and we will be on stage with Hazelwood Elementary and Auburn Mountainview.  We have already started learning the music and permission slips will come home in the next two weeks with more information.  The fifth graders are also beginning to prepare themselves for band and orchestra at Rainier.  There is a parent meeting at the Rainier Commons on Tuesday, September 18 to sign up and get information regarding schedules and bussing.  If you miss this and need more information, you can contact me or the directors at the middle school.

            The fourth graders are establishing a routine to prepare them for next year’s exciting opportunity.  We are learning to count and read notes and music with the handbells.  Learning to read individual notes in the different meters will help us choose which instrument we will be most willing to play next year.

            The third graders are just getting into the groove with having music full time and we are also working on the benchmarks that will help us obtain the knowledge we need to be successful in reading and playing music.

            I will begin seeing primary classes once a week and we will incorporate rhythms and movement to help us in the understanding of music.

           

 

 

 

Rules of the Road

 

            In the music room, the following behaviors and expectations will be enforced to promote the successful learning of all third, fourth and fifth grade students:

1)      Everyone will treat others and be treated with respect;

2)      All school instruments and materials will be taken care of properly;

3)      We will respect the time we have to be able to learn and accomplish the goals set out at the beginning of class; and

4)      We will listen, cooperate, share and participate as all responsible learners would do.

In the event of some of these points not being adhered to, the following steps will be taken:

1)      A verbal reminder,

2)      Moved to another location in the classroom,

3)      Think time,

4)      Meet with the Principal

5)      Phone call home to discuss concerns with parents.

Also, one last bit of concern.  I will never deny a student the privilege of using the restroom, however, if it becomes an ongoing issue, it may affect the students effort grade due to the lack of participation in the class.

 

Calendar of Events

21st School Walk-a-thon

24th-29th Book Fair

26th School BBQ

28th No School – Waiver Day

Oct. 24th Fifth Grade Program @PAC

 

HELP REQUESTED

            Since I am new to the location, I would like to ask for some assistance.  Students are asking me about lessons for instruments and especially piano.  I don’t know any local teachers and would love to help promote their cause and also find other resources to direct and match up compatible people.  If you have any numbers or names or teachers who have openings that are in the area, send them to school with your child or e-mail me at school.

 

EXTRA CREDIT

 

If your child attends an event outside of the school that promotes performance, have them bring in a program or note and I will give them extra credit.  This also includes events that they may participate in.