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2014-2015 Nashua Family,

Welcome
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! I am so excited to begin the
school year and start making music with your children. The information
below will help communicate the district, school, and my music expectations
for the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call; my
information will be posted below.

This is my second year teaching at Nashua Elementary and fifth year
in the North Kansas City School District. I am Nationally Kodly Certified
while incorporating Orff concepts in the music classroom. I believe that every
child should receive the gift of music; it is an opportunity to speak and give
the gift of the common language among many cultures. Music should be a joy
to everyone. As Zoltn Kodly stated, Teach music and singing at school in
such a way that is not a torture but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer
music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime.

Programs
Due to split classes at Nashua, several grades will share programs that
incorporate grade level objectives. Programs will be set on Thursday
evenings at 7:00 p.m. at New Mark Middle School. We have outgrown our
gymnasium for programs and will accommodate for space and comfort for our
Nashua families. Below are the dates for this school year programs:

December 11
th
, 2014: 4
th
and 5
th
Grade classes
February 19
th
, 2015: 2
nd
and 3
rd
Grade classes
April 23
rd
, 2015: 1
st
Grade classes
April 30
th
, 2015: Kindergarten classes
May 14
th
, 2015: 5
th
Grade Dare Graduation (Nashua Elementary)

Following the programs, we will continue the tradition of the cookie
reception. Please donate store bought cookies that do not contain peanut
butter, as some of our students require health accommodations. Please bring
a package during the week/day of your childs program. You may bring them
to the office or the night of the program.

If your child has been sent home from school due to illness or is absent
the day of the program, due to school and district policies, your child cannot
be present for the program. Please honor our school guidelines.

It is highly important that your child is present for their music
program. Each child works diligently in the music classroom and is
rewarding for them to experience and participate in their production.

A note will be sent home a month prior to the program date for
information regarding dates, times, performance attire, and any other
important information. I will also send a friendly reminder a week prior.

Program Etiquette
Part of the district curriculum, each student is held to a high standard
of concert etiquette. We would appreciate the same from our audience
members. Your child will be watching you, it is important that I, along with
our audience to set a great role model for our students. Below are some
helpful tips:

In consideration of our performers and other audience members,
please silence all devises before the performance.
Parents are expected to be responsible for their non-performing
childrens behavior. Your children will learn good audience
behavior by watching you.
Please keep unnecessary talking to a minimum.
We appreciate and enjoy your applause at the end of each song.
Please do not post concert video footage or pictures on any
website (i.e. Facebook, YouTube, etc.), as this may violate
copyright laws as well as your childs safety.

Recorders
Grade levels 3, 4, and 5 spend several weeks learning the recorder, as
part of our music curriculum in the North Kansas City Schools. At Nashua,
we will be doing the Recorder Karate program. The students will learn
songs according to their grade level, but are encouraged to learn songs
independently to earn more belts. It is a great opportunity for students to
take the initiative of learning.

The district has purchased enough recorders for every child to borrow
an instrument. You may choose to purchase a recorder for your child. I will
not purchase any recorders for the students. If you choose to borrow the
schools instrument, a contract will need to be signed prior to the recorder
unit. It contains information about lost or damaged instruments and how
they will need to be replaced.

If you choose to purchase one, please purchase through a music store
or music website. The recorders at dollar stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. do
not have a pure, quality sound. It is important that your child receives a
quality instrument; this also plays into the fine tunings of a childs ear. As a
district, we expect high quality of sounds and tunings for our students. A
high quality recorder will cost between $7-$12 on average. Several places to
purchase are Meyer Music and West Music (online). If you have any
questions about a particular recorder, please ask.

Final Words
If you have any questions, please contact me. I am more than happy to
answer your questions. I look forward to the coming school year and all the
wonderful memories and music we will make together. I am blessed to teach
your children.

Musically,



Mrs. Danelle Huckabey
Danelle.Huckabey@nkcschools.org
(816) 413-6989

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