November 21 - THIS MONDAY!

5th Grade Falling Notes Concert

7:00 @ RPI Gym

December 8

6th/MS Holiday Concert

7:00 @ RPHS Rocket Centre

Posted: October 23, 2022

We wanted to touch base with you early about what your 6th Grade students should wear for the 6th Grade/MS Holiday Concert on December 8th. Knowing that our students are growing and their old clothing might not fit, we wanted to give you plenty of time to plan ahead and hit the sales!

For this concert, we are asking our students to dress their best. Skirts, dresses, dress pants, button-ups/downs, shirt & tie, sweaters, and other similar items are desired for this concert. We are asking students to take pride in their stage presence as they display their skills for the audience.

We always want to look our best on stage!

Fundraiser Pick-Up is November 30 from 3-5 in the RPI Cafeteria. More information will come in next week's newsletter. Have a great day! :)

Posted: November 11, 2022 at 10:50am

Good morning Rockets,

"When we have done our best, we should await the results in peace."

Last Saturday, I eagerly watched our band wait for the results to be announced following their State Championship Performance. Oddly (to me).... they weren't hanging on every word of the announcer.

They had worked tirelessly; through the summer, on weekends, through scorching temperatures and driving rains... to get to this point. And they sat there, interestingly, in complete peace. They had done and given their best. The announcer's words, almost, seemed more important to others than it did to our kids and staff. There was nothing more to give, and the results would be the results.

The pandemic caused disruptions in ways that none of us were fully aware of or prepared for. Teachers, who cultivate relationships to build skills necessary for success were forced to the other side of screens. Masks, literally "masked" two of our greatest sources for ongoing assessment; body language and expression. Brains were re-wired, in person relationships had to be re-established, new resources had to be sought, and the art of interpersonal relationships had to be retaught and reborn. Through it all, our Rocket Staff has been there. Through the ups and downs, highs and lows, misery and joy. We've fought, compromised, struggled, persevered, fought some more, and showed resilience that I'm not sure all of us knew we had within us.

Watching our kids "do their best and awaiting their results in peace" gave me great hope for the future. Our kids have NEEDED us, and in almost all cases, Rockets have risen to the challenge. I'm not completely naive. There are many areas, behaviors, and challenges that are significant. And... "hope" is not a strategy. But, watching a program that was decimated by the pandemic (like choir, trying to figure out how to play and sing with masks, or to sing or play in harmony over computer screens) come out of it as strong and confident as ever gives me GREAT HOPE for our future.

One final note that gives me hope both inside and outside of Rocket City. When our program was announced as State Champions last weekend, there was another program (staff, members, and parents) that screamed just as loudly for us as our fans... the runner-up, Dewitt Panthers. It was a "classy" show of respect from a classy program. Both programs are competing in the National Championships today. When our Directors found out that Dewitt was competing at 7:30 this morning (a time that is normally not well attended), they decided to show mutual appreciation and support of their program. The photo below was taken this morning prior to Dewitt's performance.

I know this is rambling...

As a former athlete and coach, in some ways, this challenges deeply held experiences of mine. I always wanted to win. I always want to win. If you win, someone has to lose, right? I guess, maybe, the answer depends. When we are striving to a standard... maybe the win shows up in places other than the scoreboard... at least sometimes.

Stay well, Rockets!

Sincerely,

Steve

Steve Edwards

Superintendent, Reeths-Puffer Schools

Go Rockets!

Band--O-Rama is coming up in the future. Here is information for this event. We will need 25 volunteers from RPI for this fantastic FUN-draiser!

What is Band-O-Rama?

Band-O-Rama is one of our largest fundraisers. It features performances from all of our bands in the entire band program (grades 5-12) including our winter guards. It is fast paced, about an hour and a half long, and includes LIVE and SILENT auctions! In between the band songs, you can bid on some pretty cool items during the live auction. On the second floor of the Arena (big gym at HS), we will have many silent auction baskets for sale. These are not your “typical” baskets. They are elaborate with a ton of great items. Each basket is themed with many great items to bid on. It’s really quite spectacular!

Where/When is Band-O-Rama

Band-O-Rama is held in the High School Arena. The Arena is our large gymnasium. The concerts start at 2:30, and doors open for silent auction at 1:30. The event usually wraps up around 4:15.

What is the Admission Charge?

Band-O-Rama is a huge fundraiser, so we do have an admission charge for this event. admission prices will communicated at a later time with plenty of time to plan. Your performing students do not pay admission.

What can I do to help?

To pay for the silent auction basket items, later this winter, we will be asking for cash donations. Whatever you’re able to give is fine! Our suggested amount is $10. More is always welcome! You can give the money to your child, and they will deliver it to their band director. We will need 25 volunteers to make the event successful.

Please bring the whole family! The more people we have there, the more exciting the event for the kids. In previous years, we have filled the entire Home side of the Arena (upper and lower deck!). The Arena is handicap friendly with an elevator available!

What Does My Child Wear?

Students will wear their RPI Band Shirt and nice pants. We ask that students always look nice for band performances.

If your student is struggling (using words like, "bored"), please get in touch with us ASAP! For 5th grade, it can be slow-going at first, but the pace will pick up once the students learn the fundamentals. Band is all about delayed gratification. We work hard for a long time before students feel the success of their accomplishments!

If your 6th Grade child is new to band this year, we will be setting up after-school help sessions in a couple of weeks (this will also go for any 6th grade student struggling).

We are here to help!

We are doing our best to highlight the positive contributions from our students as well as give you all of the necessary information for your planning. If we are missing the mark, please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know about things that need clarification.

Email Mr. Olian: olianb@reeths-puffer.org

Thanks!