Randy's News

The annual Fall Festival is tomorrow night from 5:30 to 7:30. Come meet friends, play games and enjoy some great food. This is an opportunity for students to wear their costumes and be with their friends. Please remember there are no masks or weapons allowed with costumes. It is always an awesome time and very well attended.

Another reason to come this year is to say goodbye to Mrs. Hubbard. She is retiring after 35 years in the building and tomorrow is her last day. She will be in the library during the evening if you want to see her and thank her for her service. We hope to see everyone at the festival!

We are still in need of volunteers to make the evening seamless. If able, please look at the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49A4AA23A0FF2-66475184-2026#/

It's hard to believe, but conferences are coming up in November. November 10th, 12th from 2:40 to 6:00 and November 13th from 8:00 to 12:00 are the times for parents to come in and see how students are doing. Conference sign-ups went home last week.

Kindergartners have their music room routines set, and come in each week ready to learn. In our 30 minutes each week, we work on songs for their February11 concert (save the date!), play instruments, learn singing games (like the parachute songs) and explore musical opposites.

1st grade: Spring may seem like a long time away, but we are already singing about it in first grade! First grade friends and families are invited to the April 29 concert. First graders are building on their K skills with more challenging songs, and next-level singing skills. We'll be using the glockenspiels (a xylophone-like instrument) to play melodies and accompany our singing this fall.

2nd graders are strong singers, and with our practice in note reading and ensemble work, they are ready to take on new instrument challenges. Second graders are learning how to pick, strum, and play chords on the school's ukuleles. We are beginning to accompany our own singing with simple songs. Families, please plan to attend their March 18 musical.

3rd graders are learning the recorder (a flute-like instrument)! Thanks to the PTA, each 3rd grader gets their very own instrument that they can keep at the end of the year. We spend a lot of time up front on making a 'musical' sound with gentle breath and confident finger placement. As we add notes, the opportunities for creativity and improvisation expand. Third graders have the last show of the year (May 20), but they already know their first song and we will build on that through the year.

4th graders headline their own concert on January 28. They are capable musicians with lots of practice sharing music with an audience, so they are ready for higher-level vocal skills, and thoughtful choices around performance values. The 'student choice' song is already stirring up interesting conversations.

5th graders' special evening event is their big Eagle Bluff trip, but they still get to share music with the school during the February NAAPID assembly. We are learning songs and games for that, practicing chord transitions and singing with our ukuleles, strengthening our rhythm and note reading, and beginning broader conversations about what music is.

To all families:

• I will be at Randolph Heights for conferences for all of the Thursday window and from 10:15a-noon on the Friday. If the door is open, you are most welcome to pop in to say hello, regardless of whether you signed up for a slot. I always enjoy meeting families and learning more about your children in that way.

• If you play an instrument, feel free to reach out to be part of our shows! Our 'house band' is always happy to welcome newcomers. Send me an email and we can talk about options.

• Each year several families ask for recommendations for a music teacher or program for their child, so I keep a running list of music teachers and programs (theater, choir, etc) that RH families love and I'm happy to share that if you would like it. And, if your family has a recommendation to share, please send that to me and I will add it (I don't share any personal information about students and families on the list). It is helpful if you can add a couple details about what makes the teacher/program a good fit for you.

• Lastly, if you are a family that needs lots of lead time for show dates, I can relate! They are included in the RH calendar every family receives at the beginning of the year, so you can find them as needed.

Looking forward to another great year with your wonderful young people–

Ms. Bowron (the music teacher at Randolph Heights)

Stephanie.Bowron@spps.org

Next Wednesday is the big day for the 5th graders! Eagle Bluff Environmental Center is literally school outside. Every year, our 5th graders get the opportunity to spend three days and two nights learning about the world around them, and more importantly, about their peers and themselves. Campfires, smores, high ropes course and class outside are all experiences they won't forget. Students leave next Wednesday morning and return to school on Friday afternoon.

Picture retake day is November 10th. If your child missed pictures, or they need to retake them, Tuesday, November 10th is the day to get them. If your child was here and needs re-takes, please have them bring their picture package in with them to give to the photographer.

The Dragon Dash was a huge success and every grade made their goal for the donut party! The times are listed below for students and parents to come and enjoy a Krispy Kreme.

Kindergarten 11/4 - 7:30-7:55 am

1st Grade 11/11 - 7:30-7:55 am

2nd Grade 11/9 - 8:00-8:25 am

3rd Grade 11/11 - 8:00-8:25

4th Grade 11/4 - 8:00-8:25

5th Grade 11/9 - 7:30-7:55

Come on in and eat donuts with your child to celebrate the great success of the Dragon Dash!