Dear Students & Parents,
I hope this finds you all healthy & starting to move towards some sense of normalcy as Distance Learning is now up and rolling this week. This has been a unique time in history, to say the least. I remember thinking of all of the cool artistic possibilities in the year “2020”…you know…because everyone was going to have this “2020 vision” of their life, the world and each other…and yet, here we are… literally blindsided by a virus we can’t see while being isolated from each other. I want to be real with you…I’ve always tried to model wearing my heart on my sleeve with students, and if I’m being honest…this has been hard for us…really really hard…and that includes me. So hard I had to hide my Director’s Binder from view for the first couple of weeks of being at home as I attempted to make plan B, C, D, XY and Z. I’ve been grieving the experiences we will miss together…grieving the fact that your hard work and growth were JUST about to reach the time of the year where you are in full bloom for all to see...that growth was going to be celebrated and shared in events like the Festival of Choirs Concert, our Spring Musical, Middle School Night at the HS Pops Concert and our 8th Grade Honors Assembly. We’ve spent all year in anticipation…and now, it’s disappointment that weighs heavily. Also…I have questions….how are you? Are you well? Are your loved ones OK too? What are your days like? What’s the latest you’ve slept in? Has music been a help to you during the Quarantine? What’s your COVID playlist and can you share it? And the most burning question…do you have Toilet Paper at home? Humor aside, to say that we are on a rollercoaster is an understatement. There is a LOT that I don’t know…but I am choosing to cling to the things I DO know…and that is the fact that I am grateful to be your teacher and I’m grateful to work among some of the most caring individuals I know. YOU are thought of, prayed for planned for each and every day…you might feel alone, but you are not. This brings us to some of the bigger questions I know you all have…I know because I’ve read your emails, texts and messages. What is going to happen? Will we have a musical? Will we ever get to sing together again? Will we have a chance for closure before moving on? After careful consideration and weeks of discussion, I want to share some plans we have put together addressing some of your questions and concerns: Hairspray the Musical: Our Spring Musical, in its traditional form, is officially cancelled. It has taken me awhile to get to this point, but as the Shut-Down Order has extended closer and closer to summer and after extensive conversations with Admin and Staff, I think it’s the only reasonable solution. Summer activities are not yet guaranteed, and rescheduling a show for next fall with 50% of the Cast being HS Freshman by then is not something I think would work well. I can’t stomach doing this show with only some of you. Please note that I said our Musical in its traditional form is cancelled. But in the spirit of Hairspray…”We Can’t Stop the Beat”. For us artist types…creativity is our jam…the most important thing is that we still have music and we still have each other…so now, it’s time to decide what we’re are GOING to do. My Commitment to You: A question I have been asking myself is this: How am I going to teach a lesson today to you that means something...that is valuable...that connects to something within you? And that is what I am going to try to do from now through the end of the school year. If you are in one of my classes, your assignments moving forward are going to be a mixture of things that will hopefully help you grow as a musician, but also meet you where you are…which is in the middle of historic moment in time. Here are some Units, Projects & Topics we will cover: Hairspray (see below), End of Year Music Portfolio Projects - 8th Grade Tribute Song, Soundtrack of my Quarantine, Virtual Field Trips, Musical Pen Pals & Interviews, Weekly Group Hang-Outs, Virtual Game & Movie Nights & other fun & meaningful ways to stay connected. You are busy people…and my hope is that these plans & activities provide a breath of air to your days while helping you grow. Also…I am working hard at finding ways for you to SING! I don’t have all of the answers today, but have outlined some of the ideas and projects the staff have been working on: HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL: Virtual Show Week: Did you know that next Monday starts “Tech Week”?! Hard to believe…but then again…what day is it today?! We might not spend our time the way we thought we would next week, but we are going to make sure Show Week is still memorable and meaningful! Sunday Night Red Carpet Roll-Out (4/14): The Red Carpet will be rolling out with a Short Video Explaining what fun activities you can expect to commemorate the Week Ahead. #Can’tStoptheBeatChallenges: Each day next week, I will post a new CHALLENGE onto Google Classroom Page & the Choir blog. These challenges will be directly connected to Hairspray the Musical. Each one will have a unique tie-in to being a Triple Threat Performer and the awesome themes of Hairspray. These are all about connection and having fun….no stress allowed! Red Carpet Shout-Outs: Each day next week I will be releasing a Special Video Message that will hopefully inspire you to keep reaching for your dreams. Be sure to view these! Family Reunion Friday: Next Friday, 4/24 would have been our “Opening Night”. We will have a special Google Hang-Out that day marking this unique moment in time. Virtual Movie Night: I am working on hosting a “Virtual Movie Night” in which we watch Hairspray…together…a part…make sense, lol? Stay tuned for a fun opportunity to have movie night with your Cast & Choir Fam. Hairspray the (Virtual) Music Video Opportunity: One project I would like to embark on with you all is some sort of Compilation Video. We might not be able to perform our full show, but modern technology affords us some other creative ways to perform. See the following clip to get an idea of my vision. There will be something for everyone to do in a Video like this…no one would be forced to sing alone, and our video could be a simple compilation of photos and clips of our choosing...but everyone in the cast would have an opportunity to take part if we decide this is something we want to do. Stay tuned as the conversation unfolds. Example: https://youtu.be/KFavQRIEdcQ Summer Choir/Cast Reunion Event: I am very open to planning a Musical Event with Cast, Choir & Crew. This would not be a formal performance of our show, but rather a time to reconnect and have some fun. I have 1.5 billion ideas…and you might too! We will need to wait a little longer to see how the summer shapes up, but if we are given a green light to gather, we can get to work planning a reunion party! Whether we end up doing all of these activities, or pare it back to just a few, the staff and I hope to honor and mark this moment in time for you. We have the opportunity to “RISE UP” and make some art together that will encourage and inspire others (and ourselves). In the meantime… I want to remind you that I am here for you. All you have to do is to email me, and that goes for ANYTHING...including just to talk about what you are feeling, what you are planning...all of it. I miss all of you. Stay well. Hope to see you at a Google Hang-Out soon. ~Mrs. Ross & the 2020 Staff of Hairspray
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Dear Students & Families,
Hey there...how are you all holding up? No need to answer...I think I know...me too. Now that the Governor has given Michigan Schools an official order to extend our closure through the end of the year, R-P, along with thousands of other schools, will be working night and day to put the best possible plan in place to keep learning moving forward this year. My guess is that you have a ton of questions about Choir, Theatre, and especially, our Spring Musical- Hairspray. While I can't give you specifics today, I will tell you that I am committed to making Lemonade out of this situation in any way that I can. There is no perfect answer or solution and there are many factors to consider...but... I, along with many other committed staff, will be working to honor the work that you have done and have yet to do to finish out the school year well. It may not look the same...and it's OK to be wistful of what has been lost. However, our only option moving forward is to reflect on the good things we have right now and to be creative as we seek to respond to the cards we've been dealt. As musicians and artists, it's important that we view this time through a lens of possibility...as hard as it may be. I have several meetings planned in the coming days and ask that you continue to sit tight at R-P plans on the best way to organize the remaining weeks of school. There will be some culminating opportunities for Choir, Theatre and the Musical...but specifics are still in process. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we ban together during this unique time Until then...stay well, stay creative and stay tuned! Sing-cerely, Mrs. Ross PS: If you have any specific needs or concerns that you would like myself or your classmates to know about so that we can support you, please let me know! [email protected] |
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May 2024
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