Dear CMS Band Families,
It was a month ago that I wrote a newsletter update with the title "Leaping into March Madness" as a way to say that March gets pretty busy. Little did we all know what we were truly in for. I have to say that I am finding myself quite sad that I cannot teach. During a time of year that's usually filled with events, I feel it even more. I miss your kids dearly and I hope they are doing okay at home.
ZOOM VIDEO LESSONS
I will hold Zoom lessons at the following times this week:
Concert Band: Monday and Wednesday from 10:00-10:30 AM
Advanced Band: Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00-10:30 AM
Intermediate Band: Monday and Wednesday from 11:00-11:30 AM
6th Period Beginning Band: Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00-11:30 AM
7th Period Beginning Band: Monday and Wednesday from 12:00-12:30 PM
All students in all classes will meet on Friday from 10:00-11:00 AM to wrap up the week.
THIS WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS
Several students expressed confusion with the PDF I posted and mistakenly completed that assignment when they didn't have to. Please only ask for a PDF assignment if your student is unable to practice or access a computer. Here is the preferred assignment:
Practicing + Flipgrid Recording - Students will practice for at least 30 minutes for the week and complete the practice survey on Friday. They will then record themselves playing through one of their pieces on Flipgrid while listening to a backing track through their headphones. Directions will be posted in Google Classroom on Monday and I will walk students through this process in Zoom. I will then take all these recordings and edit them together to create a virtual band performance!
Alternative assignment: Practicing, EdPuzzles, and Quizizz - If students cannot get Flipgrid up and running or they're struggling with the tempo in the baking tracks, students will practice for at least 30 minutes for the week and complete the practice survey on Friday. Then, students will have an assortment of videos with questions in EdPuzzle, as well as some quizzes (through a program called "Quizizz"--not a typo). Detailed instructions will be posted in Google Classroom.
Just a reminder: students do not need to complete Flipgrid AND the alternative assignment. These assignments are due on Friday at noon.
ATTENDANCE
Finally, just a reminder that we now track attendance weekly. Students are to communicate with each of their teachers at least once per week. Any communication through Zoom, practice surveys, or emails will count towards their weekly attendance requirement.
Are we beginning to get the hang of this new normal? It has been a learning curve for us all. We as teachers are constantly adjusting and adapting to do what is in the best interest of you and your students. Thank you so much for your patience as we work to smooth things out. I appreciate you all!
-Mr. Jacques-
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Virtual Learning...
Dear Band Families,
Our new normal continues with the launch of virtual learning, which is set to begin on Monday at 9:00 AM. I have some important information on how this looks in band, as well as a couple other announcements.
FREE INTERNET ACCESS!
Spectrum is providing broadband for free for 60 days to households with K-12 students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Parents/Guardians will need to enroll to take advantage of this program by contacting Spectrum directly at 1-844-488-8395.
WEEKLY LESSONS
Starting Monday, all students will have weekly assignments. These assignments will be due on Friday, March 27, at noon. There will be a practicing component (30 points), a playing test component (100 points--see below), and a rehearsal participation component (30 points--see below). Click here for this week's lesson. This PDF version is also uploaded in the student's Google Classroom page. There is no need to print this document. The school will print this document for those who do not have internet or Smartmusic access.
PLAYING TESTS
Students will continue to have weekly playing tests on Smartmusic. If students cannot complete their Smartmusic test, they will need to complete the note name and rhythm quiz, as well as the rhythm composition. These are located in the PDF version of this week's lesson.
ATTENDANCE/REHEARSAL PARTICIPATION
I am required to take attendance weekly by checking in with students at least once per week. This also counts as your student's rehearsal participation grade. This will be handled in several ways:
TRIP REFUNDS
I sound like the tax man when I say this: your spring trip refunds are in the mail! Trip refunds were sent out on Friday, March 20. Email me with any additional questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Once again, all upcoming events continue to be on hold. We are continuing to get through this situation as a community, and once we are able to have performances, I will update the calendar and share that information.
Even though I won't be there in person for you, I'm still there for you through email, Remind, and Google Classroom.
Onward!
-Mr. Jacques-
Our new normal continues with the launch of virtual learning, which is set to begin on Monday at 9:00 AM. I have some important information on how this looks in band, as well as a couple other announcements.
FREE INTERNET ACCESS!
Spectrum is providing broadband for free for 60 days to households with K-12 students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Parents/Guardians will need to enroll to take advantage of this program by contacting Spectrum directly at 1-844-488-8395.
WEEKLY LESSONS
Starting Monday, all students will have weekly assignments. These assignments will be due on Friday, March 27, at noon. There will be a practicing component (30 points), a playing test component (100 points--see below), and a rehearsal participation component (30 points--see below). Click here for this week's lesson. This PDF version is also uploaded in the student's Google Classroom page. There is no need to print this document. The school will print this document for those who do not have internet or Smartmusic access.
PLAYING TESTS
Students will continue to have weekly playing tests on Smartmusic. If students cannot complete their Smartmusic test, they will need to complete the note name and rhythm quiz, as well as the rhythm composition. These are located in the PDF version of this week's lesson.
ATTENDANCE/REHEARSAL PARTICIPATION
I am required to take attendance weekly by checking in with students at least once per week. This also counts as your student's rehearsal participation grade. This will be handled in several ways:
- Zoom Rehearsals - Students will meet as a class on Monday and Friday for 30 minutes. The link and exact times are posted on student's Google Classroom pages. I will check in with everybody, answer questions, and hear individuals play.
- Zoom Office Hours - Students will have a chance to check in during my office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM-Noon.
- If students cannot get in on Zoom during the week, they are required to respond to a question on Google Classroom. I will post this question as an assignment on Monday morning.
If I do not hear from students by Friday at noon, I am required to log their absence and contact parents. Please be sure your student stays in touch with me as we work through our new virtual learning plan.
TRIP REFUNDS
I sound like the tax man when I say this: your spring trip refunds are in the mail! Trip refunds were sent out on Friday, March 20. Email me with any additional questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Once again, all upcoming events continue to be on hold. We are continuing to get through this situation as a community, and once we are able to have performances, I will update the calendar and share that information.
Even though I won't be there in person for you, I'm still there for you through email, Remind, and Google Classroom.
Onward!
-Mr. Jacques-
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A New Normal...
Dear Band Families,
Welcome to the new normal. I will be doing whatever I can to bring a little bit of normal back to your lives through music. Since we are in uncharted territory, we'll be incorporating some new ideas to supplement the things students normally do at home.
INSTRUMENT PICK-UP
The band room will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 AM-2 PM for instrument pick-up. I will also be selling reeds and other essential supplies. Only students will be allowed in the school and may only access the band room, library, and their locker. I will also help students get into Zoom for future video conferencing in the coming weeks.
WEEKLY LESSONS
Starting this Monday, all students will have weekly assignments. These assignments will be due on Friday at noon. I will have the to-do list posted on their Google Classroom page. Assignments will include a combination of activities through Smartmusic, online videos, online quizzes, Flipgrid, as well as paper-based packets for those without access to technology.
NEW MUSIC
I will scan in PDFs of new music for the two classes that were going to receive it: Beginning Band and Advanced Band. Fortunately, everybody else already has all the music they need. Once we end up figuring out our official return date to school, students will have what they need and we can pick up from where we left off.
TRIP REFUNDS
I will begin working with my office secretary to issue refund checks to everyone who has made trip payments. We will begin processing refund checks by the end of this week in hopes that you will have these in your hands by next week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
As you know, we have canceled Band-O-Rama, Reno Jazz Festival, and our spring trips. Other events taking place later in April and May are still up in the air, so we'll just have to wait and see how things unfold.
Even though I won't be there in person for you, I'm still there for you through email, Remind, and Google Classroom. Here's to our new journey together!
-Mr. Jacques-
Welcome to the new normal. I will be doing whatever I can to bring a little bit of normal back to your lives through music. Since we are in uncharted territory, we'll be incorporating some new ideas to supplement the things students normally do at home.
INSTRUMENT PICK-UP
The band room will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 AM-2 PM for instrument pick-up. I will also be selling reeds and other essential supplies. Only students will be allowed in the school and may only access the band room, library, and their locker. I will also help students get into Zoom for future video conferencing in the coming weeks.
WEEKLY LESSONS
Starting this Monday, all students will have weekly assignments. These assignments will be due on Friday at noon. I will have the to-do list posted on their Google Classroom page. Assignments will include a combination of activities through Smartmusic, online videos, online quizzes, Flipgrid, as well as paper-based packets for those without access to technology.
NEW MUSIC
I will scan in PDFs of new music for the two classes that were going to receive it: Beginning Band and Advanced Band. Fortunately, everybody else already has all the music they need. Once we end up figuring out our official return date to school, students will have what they need and we can pick up from where we left off.
TRIP REFUNDS
I will begin working with my office secretary to issue refund checks to everyone who has made trip payments. We will begin processing refund checks by the end of this week in hopes that you will have these in your hands by next week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
As you know, we have canceled Band-O-Rama, Reno Jazz Festival, and our spring trips. Other events taking place later in April and May are still up in the air, so we'll just have to wait and see how things unfold.
Even though I won't be there in person for you, I'm still there for you through email, Remind, and Google Classroom. Here's to our new journey together!
-Mr. Jacques-
Thursday, March 12, 2020
March Madness Indeed...
Dear Parents,
I have some significant updates to announce that impacts all students. Please read below:
I have some significant updates to announce that impacts all students. Please read below:
- Band-O-Rama is postponed until further notice. Please disregard the flyer I sent home with students this week.
- Both the Concert/Intermediate Band and the Advanced Band spring trips have also been postponed until further notice. I will suspend payment collection until we know more information on how to proceed.
- The Reno Jazz Festival has been cancelled. This event is not going to be rescheduled this year.
Other updates:
- I have finalized and posted all 3rd quarter grades. If you're too excited to wait for the printout to be sent home with students, feel free to log into Infinite Campus to see where your student stands for quarter 3.
- I have changed the due dates for all future playing tests. Playing tests will now be due on the last evening of any given weekend that they are assigned. The following is due Monday (end of the extended weekend) on Smartmusic:
- Jazz Band: Midnight Snack
- Concert Band: New Orleans Strut
- Intermediate Band: New Orleans Strut
- Advanced Band: New Orleans Strut
- Beginning Bands: The Clumsy Clown
- As of now, all after school rehearsals will still take place as scheduled. The next rehearsal is the invited Concert Band members and Intermediate Band on Tuesday from 2:30-4:30 PM.
We are facing a new and strange situation here, and I will continue to communicate any updates as they occur. As I told the students, we are going to continue to make wonderful music in class and keep working as if nothing is postponed or cancelled. Once this situation passes, they will be ready to showcase all the amazing work that has taken place in the band room. I hope you all have a restful and safe weekend.
-Mr. Jacques-
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