From the President
Dear Families and Friends of SCAPA,
With so much being achieved for our SCAPA students, but attendance at FOAS meetings at all-time lows, it seems that the topic for this month needs to be a primer on the purpose and structure of FOAS. FOAS is not a PTSA. FOAS is a non-profit corporation established solely for the purpose of assisting SCAPA as set forth in its succinct Mission Statement:
“To ensure a superior education for our children by generating funds, providing volunteer services, and cultivating community awareness for the school and its efforts to nourish creativity, promote academic proficiency, and encourage a respect for and appreciation of human diversity.”
This purpose translates into the reality of annual budgets ranging from $140,000 to $155,000 per year in the past six FOAS fiscal years. While it is true that FOAS typically has total funds in hand of approximately $150,000, about one-third of this is set aside in investment accounts and earmarked for use in eventually acquiring the long-desired Performing Arts Center. Therefore, the manifest goal is to maintain fiscal discipline and generate revenues equal to or greater than expenditures each fiscal year. Beyond that, it is nice to generate excess revenues, if possible, to provide maximum cushion for future unexpected costs and revenue declines.
Last fiscal year, the budgeted income and expense was $154,950 but actual expenditures exceeded $170,000 for a net budget deficit of approximately $15,000. (However, about $10,000 of this was for teacher grants which had been budgeted for only $10,000 and we awarded about $20,000, so Scott Kelley did an excellent job of keeping revenues and expenses in line last year!) The 2008-09 budget was reduced to $143,500 which will be a difficult target to meet given rising costs and increased activities. With current recessionary pressures, we are already experiencing diminished revenues from our usual fundraising projects. This is one reason why FOAS decided to add the Amazon.com gift-wrapping project, but so far only 8 people have volunteered to work.
All monies raised by FOAS go into FOAS’s general fund and are used in accordance with each line item specified in the budget. The budget is developed each year near the end of the school year and approved at one of the FOAS meetings prior to the beginning of the school year. During the school year, from time to time needs arise which exceed the budget or needs change and requests for adjustments are discussed and approved or disapproved at FOAS meetings. At the end of each school year, the actual expenditures and revenues are reviewed and considered in formulating the next fiscal year budget along with any other changes known or foreseen for that upcoming school year. Also, near the end of the school year, teachers may submit grant requests to FOAS for consideration. Last year, FOAS received a total of $26,500 in grant requests and committed to fulfill nearly $20,000 of them. These requests range from very small amounts, like a few hundred dollars for extra teaching materials or supplies, to larger amounts, such as seed funding for the newly developed Video Production Minor or a new cello. If you are a SCAPA parent or guardian, and therefore an FOAS member, and would like to have a copy of the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 budgets and/or a copy of the 2007-2008 teacher grants, please e-mail me (kryan@hwgsg.com) and I will mail it to you.
Also, from time to time, some special activities desired by our constituency vastly exceed any amount that FOAS can reasonably afford to fund. Two such current examples are the 5th and 8th grade trips where students and parents may have an independent need to raise funds to pay their individual costs for that trip. Special, targeted fundraising to defer student costs or fees that are undertaken by those particular students and their parents/guardians are not managed or handled by FOAS but are conducted on an ad hoc basis by the students and parents involved and in connection with the school as the trip’s sponsor. FOAS does contribute a minimal level of organizational funding and, if applicable, scholarships for specific students in these instances. FOAS also indirectly supports these efforts by attempting to avoid conflicts in fundraising activities in order to yield the greatest comprehensive benefit for all SCAPA and SCAPA-related activities. Again, as an example, the 8th grade requested that FOAS permit the revenues from Kroger gift cards and Box Tops generated from October through March be diverted to assist with the 8th grade trip costs and FOAS approved this request at the October meeting. Even those who are not yet eighth grade parents/guardians ought to support this effort since one day you, too will be an eighth grade parent!
This is merely a broad and general overview of FOAS’s financial functions and I hope that it has given you a basic insight into this vital and material aspect of how FOAS implements its Mission Statement. FOAS is there to support the entire school, not just one arts area, grade, teacher, academic team or extra-curricular activity. Obviously it supports a lot of wonderful programs at a considerable cost and I am most proud and thankful to be fortunate enough to be a part of SCAPA and FOAS! Please join us at FOAS meetings – there is no other effective way to reasonably educate oneself about FOAS and to have a voice in its operations!
Kathy Warnecke Ryan
November 2008
Table of Contents
- From the President
- From the Principals
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- Announcements and Reminders
- Recent Events
- SCAPA Spotlights
- Academic News
- Arts News
- Club and Team News
- Alumni News
- The Art of Parenting
- Volunteer Opportunities
- FOAS Board Officers and Representatives
Friends of the Arts School Website
From the Principals
Bluegrass
Letter from Marilynn Cunningham
Dear SCAPA Families:
Sometimes I struggle with the right words to describe the essence of this school. It is easy to describe subject by subject, grade level by grade level, creative art area by creative art area. How do I describe it all wrapped up in one? It’s the SCAPA Spirit! The very essence of that spirit permeates the very being of your student and the family surrounding him/her.
Thank you for sending us great students. You are the best and it shows in your students. Tonight SCAPA’s spirit was honored at the school board meeting as a “Century School.” Not only is our school a five time century school, SCAPA’s middle school is first in the state for the second year. Pat yourself on the back and do the same for your student.
Thank you for sending us creative artists. You have set your family apart to send your students to SCAPA and that sets a foundation for your students to be a designer. They are educated to be one of a kind.
Thank you for your spirit of giving and support. We have the most students to attend the AB’s celebration on Friday. If your student did not earn all A’s and B’s, get involved and find out how to help break the barrier that gets in his/her way. EVERY student with the excellent instruction offered in this school, the creative arts being honored in this school and the SCAPA spirit of appreciation and respect can earn A’s and B’s. It takes teamwork and self-discipline.
If you need help as a parent, remember, I am an email (marilynn.cunningham@fayette.kyschools.us) or phone call (859) 381-3332 away. Don’t hesitate to contact me. If we work together, it offers a structure within which your student may accomplish great things.
Speaking of great, I am looking forward to seeing you at the Bluegrass SCAPA musical, “Willy Wonka, Jr!” This is another example of the strong parent leadership and you sending us your best.
Keep the Arts in our Hearts.
Lafayette
Letter from Vicki Ritchie
Dear Friends of the Arts,
I can hardly believe it is almost November. It is sometimes challenging for staff and students to see light at the end of the semester as they juggle all their daily tasks. Twelve-week grades will be mailed home in about three weeks and then it will seem like no time until we are preparing for final exams.
Included with the freshman and sophomore grade report, parents will be receiving information about the Individual Learning Plans (ILP’s). This state mandated on-line program is a wonderful tool for helping students navigate and record their progress through high school as they prepare themselves for their post-secondary education plans. There is a wealth of helpful facts and information about colleges and career-planning. Although the students work on this report at school, parents and students can access this program from home and we encourage you to look at it together.
In addition to the grade report, parents of current juniors and seniors should watch for a mailing in the next couple of weeks regarding the results of our KCCT assessment from last spring. Along with the individual student scores, there will be information about the test results and how to interpret this data for your student. If you do not receive this information in the mail by mid-November, please call the guidance office at 381-3481.
Sincerely,
Vicki Ritchie
(Please check the SCAPA website regularly for updates)
- Saturday, November 1, 9am-?, Lafayette SCAPA Auditions
- Tuesday, November 4, No School, Election Day, GO VOTE!
- Thursday, November 6, Willy Wonka, Jr. at the Opera House, 10am and Noon School Shows, 7:00pm Public Performance
- Thursday, November 6, 7:30pm, Lafayette Chamber Orchestra Concert, Beeler Auditorium
- Friday, November 7, Willy Wonka, Jr. at the Opera House, 10am and Noon School Shows, 8:00pm Public Performance
- Saturday, November 8, Willy Wonka, Jr. at the Opera House, 2:00pm and 8:00pm Public Performances
- Wednesday, November 12, 8:30am-3:45pm, 4th grade to Frankfort
- Thursday, November 13, 6:30pm, Middle School Band Concert, MPR
- Saturday, November 15, 9am-?, Bluegrass SCAPA Auditions
- Sunday, November 16, 2-3pm, 5th & 6th vocal majors to Jr. League Holly Market, KY Horse Park
- Sunday, November 16, 12:30-4:30pm, Auditions for Michael Rafter's Destination Broadway, MPR and Helm Hall
- Tuesday, November 18, 5:30pm, Family/School Conversations, Helm Hall
- Tuesday, November 18, 6:30pm, FOAS meeting, Bluegrass SCAPA library
- Wednesday, November 19, All County Honor Band auditions
- Thursday, November 20, Fayette County Choral Festival, Calvary Baptist Church
- Thursday, November 20, 6pm, Strings Café Recital, Helm Hall
- Thursday, November 20, Twelve Angry Men/Women in Beeler Auditorium, 10:00am School Show and 7:00pm Public Performance
- Friday, November 21, 6-8pm, SCAPA Art Lease and Coffee House, Bluegrass MPR
- Friday, November 21, Twelve Angry Men/Women in Beeler Auditorium, 10:00am School Show and 8:00pm Public Performance
- Saturday, November 22, Strings Solo and Ensemble Festival, SCAPA Bluegrass
- Saturday, November 22, Twelve Angry Men/Women in Beeler Auditorium, 8:00pm Public Performance
- Sunday, November 23, Twelve Angry Men/Women in Beeler Auditorium, 2:00pm Public Performance
- Monday, November 24, 3-3:40pm, Nutcracker Excerpts by Ballet Majors, MPR
- Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28, No School, Thanksgiving Break, Enjoy and be thankful!
- Tuesday, December 2, 8:25-10:45am, CATS Celebration, Beeler Auditorium and SCAPA Bluegrass
- Thursday, December 4, 6:30pm, Elementary Band/Strings Concert, MPR
- Thursday, December 4, 6:30pm, MS Vocal majors to Cardinal Hill
- Friday, December 5, 8am, Bluegrass Vocals to Gingerbread House Event at the Radisson
- Friday, December 5, Lafayette SCAPA Vocal Majors Recital
- Saturday, December 6, 9am-?, Bluegrass SCAPA Auditions
- Monday, December 8, 7:30pm Lafayette Area Band Concert, Lafayette HS Gymnasium
- Thursday, December 11, 6:30pm, Vocal Concert, MPR
- Thursday, December 11, 7:30pm, Lafayette HS Singers, Chorale, Madrigals Winter Concert, Location TBA
- Saturday, December 13, EKU Middle School Honor Band
- Monday, December 15, 7:30pm, Lafayette HS String, Concert, Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert, Beeler Auditorium
- Tuesday, December 16, 5:30pm, Family/School Conversations, Helm Hall
- Tuesday, December 16, 6:30pm, FOAS Meeting, Bluegrass SCAPA Library
- Tuesday, December 16, 8pm, Kentucky Christmas Chorus, Rupp Arena
- Friday, December 19, Last Day of Classes
- Monday, December 22, Winter Break Begins
- Saturday, December 27, 7-10pm, SCAPA Reunion, Bluegrass SCAPA
Willy Wonka
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald
Lyrics by Anthony Newley
Music by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse
Graphic from www.penders.com
Location: Lexington Opera House
Charlie Bucket’s family is poor by any financial standard. But what they lack in money and possessions, they more than make up for in love, kindness, and integrity. When Willy Wonka sets out to find an heir to his world-famous chocolate factory, he is faced with candidates who represent gluttony, disobedience, greed, obsession, and character. Grab your golden ticket! Take a magical trip with Charlie through a world of “Pure Imagination” and discover to whom the “Candy Man” will pass on all of his candy-making secrets.
School Shows
School Shows Running Time: 60 minutes |
Public Performances
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2008 CATS Celebration
December 2, 2008 Beeler Auditorium 8:30 AM, followed by a reception at SCAPA Bluegrass. All parents, family and fans of students are invited.
The purpose is to recognize the excellence in each child at SCAPA. It is also an opportunity to mention the 2008 CATS scores, as our students worked very hard every day in class and at home to learn the required curriculum, and then showed their knowledge in their answers on the CATS assessment. We’ll begin at 8:30 in Beeler Auditorium (Lafayette High) with the formal ceremony. Superintendent Stu Silberman will be our guest speaker. A mini- breakfast reception will follow at SCAPA Bluegrass – everyone is invited to both. Mrs. Cindy Bennett is organizing the breakfast, which is provided by SCAPA parents. Many volunteers will be needed for the breakfast.
Science Fair Judges Needed
Our annual science fair is rapidly approaching, and we are looking for volunteers with a science-related background to judge student projects. This year's judging will take place on Monday, January 12th for 7th grade projects and Tuesday, January 13th for 4th grade projects. If you are free on one or both of those days from 8 a.m. until approximately noon and are willing to serve as a judge, we would appreciate your help. Please contact either Libbi Sergent (elizabeth.sergent@fayette.kyschools.us) or Ashlie Beals (ashlie.beals@fayette.kyschools.us), and we will get back to you with judging criteria and general information. Also, if you know of anyone else who would be interested in judging, please feel free to pass this information on, or let Mrs. Sergent or Ms. Beals know and we would be happy to contact them ourselves.
One other request: If you are a parent of a 4th or 7th grader, we would ask that you volunteer to judge the projects for the grade level of which your student is not a member. This will help us keep the judging as impartial as possible.
Destination Broadway
Michael Rafter, a Broadway musical director, will be at Bluegrass SCAPA on Sunday, November 16th from 12:30-4:30pm auditioning students for his summer camp, Destination Broadway. For more information call Colette Crown at 361-1315.
Math Tutoring
7th & 8th grade math tutoring available after school from 3:45-4:45pm every Monday in Ms. Bird's room starting October 6th.
LCT's production of "The Snow Queen"
Four Bluegrass SCAPA students will be appearing in the LCT's production of "The Snow Queen" in December. The students are Parker Kearns, Meredith Peterson, Cameron and Cody Taylor. Below is the information for public show performances.
Sunday, December 14th @ 2:00pm; Saturday, December 20th @ 2pm and 7pm; and Sunday, December 21st @ 2pm. The Box Office number is 254-4546 ext. 245
Museum Go Round on Saturday
The following SCAPA students participated in the Museum Go Round on Saturday, October 18th: Casey Dalager, 7th grade Visual Arts; Bryn Eichhorn, 7th grade Drama; Tynan Eichhorn, 8th grade Visual Arts; Esther Putman, 6th grade Ballet; Anna Smith Sergeant, 8th grade Ballet; and Joseph Wrightson, 8th grade Visual Arts. We are so proud when our students represent SCAPA in art events in the community
Read To Feed
SCAPA Annual Reunion
SAVE the DATE! Mark your calendar for SCAPA's Annual Reunion featuring the Class of 1998! We will be celebrating from 7-10pm on Saturday, December 27th at Bluegrass SCAPA in the Multipurpose room. Alumni from the graduating class of 1998 will provide a showcase performance! There will be food, music and dancing, but mostly there will be fun and fellowship with our SCAPA family, past and present. Don't miss it!
If you are a member of the 1998 SCAPA class, please contact Matt Krebs, vmkrebs@gmail.com, (859) 221-5243. If you would like to be involved with planning the reunion, donating food, or simply to learn more, please contact Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, (859) 536-1313.
Kentucky Christmas Chorus
Bluegrass and Lafayette SCAPA students will be participating in this years Kentucky Christmas Chorus! This letter should have arrived via backpack in your home a few weeks ago. Please provide the information listed to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, in order for your student(s) to be included in this annual celebration of holiday music.
And, can the day and date be in bold on the Calendar of Upcoming Events?
Lost and Found
Lost and Found at Bluegrass SCAPA is overflowing! The current protocol is to leave whatever is in there alone for one month. On the last Monday of each month everything is put out on tables in the MPR during lunch. Whatever is not claimed at that time is then donated to needy groups. PLEASE remind your students to check Lost and Found regularly if they have a habit of misplacing things, especially lunch boxes/bags as they become truly disgusting. Parents, you are welcome to come look for yourself as well.
Fundraiser with Amazon
Come join us at Amazon to help wrap some holiday gift orders. You don’t have to be an expert, or even experienced!
Amazon provides pre-cut paper, electric tape dispensers, an organized table, and cushy mats to stand on. The shifts are only 4 hours long and the time goes by quickly. Training will be provided, so don’t worry about your ‘wrapping abilities’.
This is a festive and fun way to help the Friends community stay strong. Amazon will donate .60 to .75 cents per package for helping them wrap their holiday orders. The average is 22 packages/hour, but many wrapped closer to 40 – 50 packages/hour. What a great way to support F.O.A.S. without having to write a check or sell anything. If you like that idea, then support this fundraiser.
Gather a group of friends, make it a family event, invite other parents in your major or grade, or come join me (I’ll be out there most Thursdays!) and help the Friends. The shifts are:
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 2 pm – 6 pm
- 7pm – 11pm
- 7 days/week November 24th – December 23rd (excluding the 7-11 shift on 11/26)
We can work as many shifts as we like, but shifts are first come, first serve based on need. It gets really busy closer to the 23rd. So please let me know if you’d like to help out. Contact me with your:
- Name
- Reliable phone number
- Reliable email
- Shift times AND dates
I will confirm your scheduled time slot prior to your shift.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. I have had a lot of fun doing this fundraiser for 2 years now and will be happy to tell you about it.
Amazon is located off Leestown Rd. just past hwy. 4. Closed shoes, i.e., tennis shoes are required, **this is a standing job. Wrappers must be at least 18. Nothing can be carried on the Amazon floor, so purses/backpacks/cell phones are left in secure lockers during your shift. You may bring a clear bottle of water.
Please email me at gorenas@insightbb.com OR leave a note in the Friends mailbox Attn: Jennifer Gorena OR call me: 552-6434
Friends of the Arts School (FOAS) Meetings
The next Friends of the Arts School (FOAS) meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 19, at 6:30pm in the Bluegrass SCAPA library.
Mark you calendars for the remaining meeting dates in 2008-09:
- August 19 - Meeting Minutes
- September 16 - Meeting Minutes
- October 21 - Meeting Minutes
- November 18
- December 16
- January 20
- February 17
- March 17
- April 21
- May 19
SCAPA Scarecrows
The Bluegrass and Lafayette SCAPA Visual Art majors submitted scarecrows for the contest sponsored by Artique in the Mall at Lexington Green. Mr. Love also dressed "Vincent" up for the occasion. The scarecrows will be on display at Lexington Green throughout the month of October. Be sure to visit your favorite scarecrow. Way to go SCAPA!
Jane Gentry Vance Visits SCAPA
Ms. Millie Fields invited Jane Gentry Vance to speak to the vocal and creative writing majors about poetry and poetry songs. These students spent the week prior to her coming researching and the week afterwards writing. Here is Kristin Cavallaro's summary of the experience.
Jane Gentry Vance, this year's Kentucky Poet Laureate, came to speak with the vocal and creative writing middle school majors' classes. She was so amazing when she spoke to us. Her poems have a way of being descriptive and interesting! She showed us ways to improve our poetry skills. One skill she taught us was to not be straight out to the audience, but a little confusing. The first time she showed our class a poem, we looked at it one way and only in that way. The poem was confusing. Then she showed us how to look at the poem from a different perspective and we understood. Jane Gentry Vance helped us become better poets and better readers of poetry.
This section is reserved for recognizing accomplishments by SCAPA students, parents, faculty and staff. Please send arts accomplishments to Melissa Frank (melissa@melissavoiceover.com), academic accomplishments to Beth Poulton (bpoulton@insightbb.com) and anything else to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us). Space limitations will determine how many we can include in any given month.
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Gabrielle Barker placed first in the Kentucky Farm Bureau District Variety Contest held in Taylorsville, Kentucky on Thursday, October 16. She will travel to the Galt House in Louisville for the State Kentucky Farm Bureau Variety Showcase on December 5. Congratulations, Gabrielle and best of luck in Louisville! Congratulations to Abby Kirk for having a poem published in the Cincinnati Writers’ Project Anthology and to Jordyn Rhorer for having a poem published in the current issue of Teen Ink Magazine! The following students participated in the William E. Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition on Saturday, October 25th, sponsored by UK Opera Theatre: Gabrielle Barker won 2nd place ($1500) as well as Audience Favorite ($200); Shannon Baker, Andrew Miller, Sydney Steele, Erin Brown and Wood Van Meter were all finalists and received $100 each; Wood Van Meter was also awarded $100 for Broadway Bound; Emma Jackson received an encouragement award of $100; Jami Hart; and Alexandra Koszewski. As second place winner Gabrielle Barker was introduced to the audience of UK Opera Theatre’s production of “La Boheme” Saturday night. Congratulations to all of you for participating in this event! National Association of Teachers of Singing CompetitionCongratulations to the following Lafayette SCAPA vocal majors for their performance at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition:
Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Ambassador
Student of the MonthThe following students hold and have exhibited outstanding personal character traits, as well as organizational skills. We are proud of our SCAPA students who are well-behaved, and conscientious about learning and growing, being respectful to themselves, other students and staff. These "Student of the Month" candidates honor high standards within their personal values and have shown outstanding organizational and work habits while at SCAPA. We are proud of all of our students and recognize the following Students of the Month. So far this year: August 08
September 08
October 08
November 08
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Submit information to Beth Poulton (bpoulton@insightbb.com)
Election News at SCAPA!
SCAPA’s Middle School Students are actively involved in Mock Elections during this very exciting 2008 presidential campaign! We have all registered and are ready to VOTE!
Kirk Hardy and Caroline Balling were nominated by the 8th grade class as the presidential candidates of their respective parties. Kirk represents the Democratic Party and Caroline represents the Republican Party. Middle school students are actively supporting their candidates by making signs and general “campaigning.” On October 30, there will be a middle school Mock Election for Kirk and Caroline, as well as a school-wide election for the 2008 national presidential candidates. All SCAPA students will participate in the 2008 National Student/Parent Mock Election for the Sixth Congressional District. They will be using a paper ballot as well as an electronic (computer) ballot, and will receive an “I Voted” sticker! Our Arts areas will serve as the “Electoral College”, so our results will be tabulated for both the popular vote and electoral vote. All classes are learning about the election process, especially the electoral college. On Monday, October 27, a debate is scheduled between Kirk and Caroline. Mrs. Joly will be videotaping the event, and it will be broadcast to all classes during the day on Monday and Tuesday. Students from each grade were selected to attend the debate and questions for the debate were prepared by the students. It has been an exciting time of learning and real life experience for all of our students. Special thanks to Pam Draper, Beth Randolph, and Karen Joly for their enormous technological support, as well as all the teachers who have been actively involving our students in civics education.
Submitted by: Kay Swain, Middle School Social Studies
What’s Happening in Ms. Swain’s Class?
Mrs. Swain’s 7th grade Social Studies classes have completed a 6 session course on “Financial Literacy”, a “pilot program” sponsored by Junior Achievement of Lexington. This class was offered to SCAPA, and a few other Fayette county schools. Mrs. Swain’s 4th period class was led by Mr. David Kidd from 5th Third Bank in Lexington. The 5th period class received their instruction from Kathy Butcher of Whitaker Bank. The students received instruction on the following topics:
Day 1-Getting Started- Basics, Money, Consumerism, Wants /Needs
Day 2-Factors in Consumer Decision Making : advertising techniques,
Day 3-Basic Budgeting, Cash Flow Planning, Goal Setting
Day 4-Debit/Credit, Banking Services, Checking/Savings Accounts
Day 5-Investments-Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Other Investments
Day 6-Long Range Financial Goals, College/Career Planning, Wrap Up, Review
Mr. Kidd’s 5th lesson was videotaped by Dick Simpson for a Channel 13 broadcast during 4th period on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Several students will be interviewed by Lynn Hudgins of Junior Achievement at a later date, and will be added to the original taping. It should air on Channel 13 sometime in the next few months.
The “Financial Literacy” program was very well received by the students!
They are all very interested in knowing more about what is happening in our economy, and how they can learn more about saving, budgeting and investing.
Math Happenings
From Ms. Randolph’s Classroom
Ms. Randolph’s class has been learning some exciting new concepts. In math, they have just begun their geometry unit. They will be focusing on basic geometric forms and the properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons. The students will be integrating these math concepts with several art projects in the next few weeks. This is always one of the students’ favorite math units of the school year.
The students have been reading the book, Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Russell Freedman. It has been a great way to incorporate studies about World War II and the United States presidential election. One surprising element to the book has been how many economic issues and political themes of the 1930s seem to be cropping up again in 2008. Maybe there really is something to be said about history repeating itself.
A few weeks ago, the students had a magnificent performance of the Bill of Rights Rap for the African-American Forum press conference. The rap greatly enhanced the students’ understanding of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution and showcased their superb rapping ability. The humor injected into the portrayal of the amendments just hit the spot! Congratulations, Ms. Randolph’s class!
In language arts, the study of nouns has been extremely important. Capitalization of proper nouns may not be popular in email, but the students are learning just how vital it is in everyday writing. The use of possessive nouns is always tricky, but the students are learning to master those apostrophes quite nicely, whether they happen to be singular possessive or plural possession.
Watch for an upcoming podcast of what is going on in our classroom and around the school. The PPN (Penguin Podcasting Network) will soon debut its first edition.
Submit information to Melissa Frank (melissa@melissavoiceover.com)
Bluegrass
Art
Nothing submitted this month
Dance
Nothing submitted this month
Band
Creative Writing
Nothing submitted this month
Orchestra
Nothing submitted this month
Vocal
The overall subject matter across all classes is the learning of keys (key circle) and the playing of those various scales. In addition, we are spending time matching tones, improving on singing with use of Kodaly hand symbols and learning a great deal of new music in preparation for programs.
Our class combined with the Creative Writing Class to invite the Kentucky Poet Laureate to our class for a presentation by Jane Gentry Vance. We are preparing to sing at the Gingerbread Auction on December the 5th for the Volunteers of America Fund.
Our 5th and 6th graders are to present a live TV performance on November the 6th at Channel 27. This group will also perform on November 14, at Arlington, for EKU Doctoral Students in Richmond, Kentucky. They will sing on Sunday,November the 16th, 2:00 p.m. at the Horse Park.
Adam Brown sang in the CKMEA performance at KSU and Ms. Fields was the accompanist for that all day event and the evening concert. The Fayette County Honors Chorus will be held on November 20th at Calvary Baptist Church. In addition, rehearsals and taping of both the Elementary All State Chorus and the Junior High All State Chorus are presently taking place.
Drama
Nothing submitted this month
Video Production
Nothing submitted this month
Lafayette
Drama
Nothing submitted this month
Piano
- Nothing submitted this month
Band
Vocal
Nothing submitted this month
Submit information to Beth Poulton (bpoulton@insightbb.com)
Bluegrass
Speech Team
Speech team practice is in its fourth week. Many students have been diligently working on their new pieces while others are still searching for just the right piece to bring success this year. Each Monday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons and evenings, Helm Hall is full of students giving speeches, acting, and telling stories.
The speech team will begin tournament action in the middle of November at Henry Clay High School. The team will be vying to defend their state championship in what promises to be an exciting season.
Battle of the Book’s Lunch Club
Many wonderful books have been read over the last several weeks and attendance at book club lunches has been fabulous. Upcoming book clubs will feature the following books:
- The House of Dies Drear - October 31st
- No Talking - November 7th
- The Diary of a Wimpy Kid - November 21st
- Tuck Everlasting - December 5th
- Power of Un - December 19th
We hope to see you in Ms. Randolph’s classroom for lunch at 11:26 at the next book club lunch meeting.
Lafayette
Nothing submitted this month
Laura Menard
Laura Menard, 2008, returned to Lexington as a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra on Tuesday, October 14 to perform with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras' Symphonic Orchestra. Laura is a freshman at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Article from Winchester Sun.
Submit information to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us)
The Private and Public Nature of Art
This month’s effective practice is: Artists have a vision for what they want the outcome to be. They are highly selective in who they include in the process of their work. Artists realize that their name, their reputation will be associated with the final product for all time. Therefore, they are deeply invested in insuring the integrity of their work. For example, Leonardo da Vinci hand picked and personally trained apprentices before they were allowed to work on his murals.
I believe I am accurate in saying that art is an attempt to communicate - an attempt by the artist to share something of themselves, something that has touched them, something they feel passionate about, something they want to be sure is not forgotten, something they want to invite others to experience as they do. While the artist may be compelled by some internal force to create art, I believe they do so with the intent of sharing with a larger audience, even if that audience is only one other person. If artists were satisfied to keep their visions to themselves there would be no such thing as art. So while art is highly personal, it is also extraordinarily social. Perhaps for no other art form is this statement more true than for the art of parenting.
I have a coaster on my desk on which is painted these words, “A child is the only known substance from which a responsible adult can be made.” On my wall hangs a cross-stitched picture that reads, “There are two special gifts we should give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” Both of these serve as reminders that it is necessary to have a vision for who it is we intend for our children to become and for what we intend to give them. In fact the two are inextricably connected. Who our children become is a direct reflection of what we have been to them, what we have given them. All the more reason to be highly invested in the integrity of the process.
When we choose to bring a child into the world it is sometimes surprising how quickly what was originally a private decision becomes public domain. What pregnant woman has not been taken aback by a stranger patting her expanding abdomen and asking when she is due? There is a Chinese proverb that says, “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.” However, people are not all that leave their mark. There is also television, movies, books, games, toys, etc. If you do not believe these are powerful influences on your children, then why is there such a thing as advertising?
Unlike some other art forms, parenting is not a solitary endeavor. Therefore, it is imperative that we be diligent when it comes to choosing whom we invite and what we allow to contribute to our greatest work. Like flies in the paint, there will always be uninvited influences that are beyond our control. However, as parents it is our responsibility to protect against these and minimize their effects to the best of our ability.
Our children are our gift to the world. While our children are not us, they are certainly an expression of who we are. As is true in every discipline, the art reflects the artist.
Prior to her role as SCAPA Arts Facilitator, Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman was a Parent/Family Life Educator and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She was the author of The Parents’ Toolbox for The Lexington Family Magazine as well as Pastoral Parenting for the Church of the Resurrection newsletter.
Attention all Bluegrass SCAPA Parents! Let's get a head start on next year's Back to School Picnic by starting to collect items for the Silent Auction NOW! To learn how you can help, contact Terri McGraw at mcgraw@insightbb.com; 219-3272 (H); 621-3285 (C). If everyone brought one item, we'd have an awesome assortment!
Please be aware that a records check is required in order to participate in volunteer activities in the Fayette County School system.