Dear Parents and Students:
Wow!!! I can hardly believe it is time to begin the new school year. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you back. I am looking forward to this new and exciting year with all the joys and challenges that are always present. This is my 6th year of teaching music in school. I was a music therapist for almost 9 years before choosing to become a music teacher.
Music is an essential element to any curriculum and can aid in the learning of several foundation skills such as communication, problem solving, resource access and utilization, linking and generating knowledge, as well as citizenship. These goals can be achieved through creative expression, aesthetic perception, historical and cultural perspective, and critical analysis. I hope that students will gain an appreciation for the different varieties of music we will experience throughout the year. I also hope that students will gain an understanding of the importance of music in their curriculum. We will incorporate music in as many ways possible to other curriculum areas.
We will also be working on music for our weekly mass, as I feel that the music is an integral part of our worship and prayer time. Our participation also allows us to show God the respect and time he deserves. I pray that the songs that we sing will deepen our relationship to Christ.
During each class each student will receive at least one grade. Grades in music are based on participation and behavior due to the fact that we do not do a lot of written work or testing. Any work assigned will be posted on the teacher assignment board on the school website. If work is not completed in class, it may need to be completed on a student’s own time.
Each student will begin class with an “A” for the day. A student can retain his/her “A” for the day by participating appropriately. If a student chooses to talk or disrupt after at least 1 warning, his/her daily grade will lower with each subsequent offense. Talking, any form of disrupting, making fun, or choosing not to participate will affect a student’s grade. In grades PK, K, and first, each student will start on green and after 2 warnings, they will go to yellow and if his/her behavior doesn’t improve they will go to red after 2 more warnings. When they are yellow they will receive 5 minutes off of their recess play time. Each subsequent warning will take more of their play time away. When they receive a red card in class they will receive a warning in their regular class. This is also a “U or NI” for the day. The “NI” means needs improvement.
I believe that students need clearly stated boundaries in order to succeed. I also think that communication between parents, teacher and student are essential to achieving success. I look forward to communicating with you through a variety of means. I will be posting information regarding assignments on the Teacher Web which can be accessed through the school’s web site. If you have questions you may contact me through my school e-mail at coquin@olpsschool.org.
Thank you for your time and the energy that you put into each of your children. I look forward to a great year!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Corinne S. O’Quin