Dear Parents,
I need your help! If you purchased a band book from me and you paid with cash will you please email me and let me know! I have had students put cash in the box with no names and I have no idea who they belong to!
Thank you,
Jessica Thacker
jessica.thacker@carrolltoncityschools.net
Dear Parents and Students,
Band Binders are HERE!!!!! These binders will be for sale for $1.50. Many of you have already turned in your money.If you want to buy one on your own then it must be a 1/2 inch black binder with the plastic cover to insert their name in it.
Please make sure that ALL money (fees, binder, books, or reeds) comes to school in an envelope(or ziplock bag) with the student’s name on it. I have had some students put money in the box with no name and then I do not know who gave it to me.
Thank you so much for all that you do,
Ms. Thacker
Hello Parents,
Jump Start Camp is this Saturday (August 26th) from 9am-12pm. This is my favorite parts of the year because everyone is so excited to get their instrument and start playing.
Parents should drop their student off at the back of the school where the bus lane is before 9am. Students will meet in the gym and await instructions.
If you have your own instrument and did not buy one from the music company then please make sure not to forget it.
Parents may pick their child up at 12pm in the same location.
Thank you so much for everything and I am looking forward to it!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Jessica Thacker
Dear Parents,
Tonight is instrument night for our 6th graders. This is for anyone who is new or veterans to band. If you are you this year you will talk to someone about renting or buying an instrument. If you are a veteran then you can buy your essential elements book 2, a really neat folding stand, and any cleaning supplies you might need. If you are a veteran and you can not attend I will have the books that you can purchase from me, but I will NOT have the stands or cleaning supplies. Also the stands are not required for class, but they make a great asset for practicing at home.
ALSO if you are a 5th grader and you could not come to the instrument night on Monday I need for you to come tonight!
I look forward to seeing you tonight!!!
Sincerely,
Jessica Thacker
jessica.thacker@carrolltoncityschools.net
Hello parents,
My name is Jessica Thacker and I am the new director at the Middle School. I have already had the pleasure of meeting many of you, but if I have not already I am looking forward to it.
Instrument night for 6th grade is tomorrow night in the gym from 5pm-8pm. You may come anytime during that time frame. This is where you can talk to someone about buying or renting an instrument. This is a MUST for my new players or any student wishing to switch instruments. If your student was in band last year they do not have to attend unless you want to. This is a GREAT opportunity to upgrade instruments, buy cleaning supplies, Book 2 (which EVERY student will need), and a really neat folding music stand. If you do not come then you can buy book 2 from me for $10
I will be sending a letter home either tomorrow or Thursday about Jump Start Camp, which is this Saturday.
Camp is from 9am-12pm and will start out in the gym.
Good evening,
During the summer we had the band director position open up at the Junior High School here in Carrollton. I am humbeled to have been offered the position as Director of Bands at Carrollton Junior High School. Although there are many factors that make this change of positions feel like a “loss” I am reminded that there are many more victories. The students that I have grown to love will no longer be students that I am parting with until high school, but will be students that I am able to connect with again at the Junior High. I have been granted a second chance to continue teaching your remarkable students whether it is this year or the next school year. That is something that excites me more than you know. I will be heavily active at the Middle School on a daily basis working with our new band director which will be announced very soon. She is an excellent educator and most of all an appropriate role model for our students that they will fall in love with quickly. I can say with a 100% confidence that the rising 5th and 6th graders are in excellent hands next year.
I look forward to continuing this journey with many of you next year. Please keep in contact and do not ever hesitate to ask me any questions.
My email is Maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net
Sincerely,
Maria Menendez
Good morning,
I am sad to see the school year end but am glad that the students get a well-deserved break from school. Stay safe students and make sure to serenade your household with music every once in a while!
I have some very eager (and cheap) high school students that are looking to teach lessons to some of my students. If any of your kids want to take lessons with a high schooler to keep your playing in shape and grow then please contact me. The lessons will be hosted here at the Middle School and can be either half an hour or an hour. Remember that taking private lessons is also a great tool for those of you who feel like you could use some tutoring on specific concepts that did not resonate well with you this year. Many students take lessons because they are struggling with playing certain notes or making a certain sound on their instrument. This is an opportunity to get individualized attention and a great way to keep your brain and body a little more active in the summer.
I will be uploading some music in the next few days so that my students can download them and play them at home. It will be full of fun music! Remember to keep going through your Essential Elements Book all the way to the end because there are some gems in there as well. Especially “O’ Canada” 😉
Much love to you all and enjoy your summer break. Consider private lessons and be on the look out for some fun music soon!
-M. Menendez
Good morning,
It is vital that school-owned instruments are returned as soon as possible. This would be french horns, baritones, tubas, double reed instruments (unless you rented them), and any other school owned instruments. If you would like to check out a horn for the summer to practice on you will need to bring it to school, fill out a form, and then I can assign you one for the summer.
If you are renting your instrument from Music & Arts then it is your instrument. That will not need to be turned in.
If you were given a horn to keep at home so that you did not have to bring your instrument to and from school then I will also need that returned.
-M. Menendez
SUMMER CAMPS
Below are some recommendations from Mr. Huls sent out to the Junior High students for summer music camps. I would like to piggy back off of him and reiterate that these camps will give your kids a safe and positive learning environment while attended. Your students will grow as musicians, make new friends, and have an absolute blast. Please consider enrolling your student in one of the camps listed below.
University of Georgia Summer Music Camp
Encore Band Camp
Athena Music Camp
New Notes Middle School Band Camp
Vivace Summer Band Camp
http://www.gmea.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/VivaceCampFlyer2016Complete.pdf
email: director@vivacecamps.com
-M. Menendez
I cannot thank you all enough for today! The 6th graders brought in a lot of yummy snacks and treats for us to enjoy and did a wonderful job today! We had a blast with the high school band and a blast with each other. Thank you to the parents who helped out. I mean it when I say that I could NOT have done that without you!
ALL Students will play tomorrow in class. We continue playing for the rest of the year until the last week of school. I will notify you when I know of days that we will not play. Please assume that we will play in class for the rest of the year and make sure that your student brings their horn to school each day.
I adore my wonderful students and this band family. Thank you for all of your support!
Sincerely,
Ms. Menendez
CUES Trojan Band 