Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! I am very excited to begin our learning this year. While I understand this year will start out differently than most of us were hoping, I am going to do my best to make it as enjoyable and worthwhile as possible.
If you didn’t get a chance to see my welcome video on Information Day, please visit watch it below or go here.
In addition, our orchestra student leadership team created a video to introduce themselves. Please watch and get to know our amazing student leaders!
In your Outlook calendars, you should see invitations to our daily synchronous (live) teaching sessions. Please be sure to download the AHS bell schedule for URL and keep it handy next to your computer.
If you haven’t done so, be sure to download the Office 365 suite (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneNote) to all of your devices (computer, tablet, and phone) and log in with your FCS student credentials. As you probably know, FCS will be utilizing Microsoft Teams for our learning in all classes. While I am sad that Google Classroom will not be allowed, I am gaining faith in that Teams will work well also.
Our goal at the beginning of the year will be to BUILD COMMUNITY. I know living in these times of uncertainty may be somewhat depressing and stressful. This is completely normal and expected — we all have experienced this! But I want you to know that your orchestra family is here for you!
While we can’t play together, we can work on building our team, honing our individual technical skills, and diving deep into learning about orchestra and music in a variety of ways. This way, when we do get the opportunity to come back face to face, we will be stronger than ever and will be able to have lots of fun playing in large groups and making awesome music. I can’t wait!
I’m asking you all to be patient and empathetic during the times of Universal Remote Learning (URL). There may be some things you don’t like about orchestra class or some of our assignments. Please understand that I will be doing all I can. If something goes well, we will continue to do it. If something isn’t well-received, we won’t. There will be some trial and error because this is the first time we are doing this for real. Do know that we will get through this and we will do it unified TOGETHER!
If you are new, you will learn that I am not only an orchestra teacher, but I am one who cares deeply about my students and their well being. I care about you as students and also as people. I love my orchestra family! ❤️
Our first meeting will be tomorrow morning and it will be great to see you all. Check your Outlook calendar for the invitation or log into Teams, go to your class, and then select the “class meetings” channel. You will see the link to the live meeting.
For our live meetings, please note the following expectations:
- Cameras must be turned ON (I know it can be weird, but don’t be shy!)
- Backgrounds should be blurred, if possible
- Microphones must be MUTED unless called on to speak
- Find a good place for your computer or device where you will be able to work efficiently and uninterrupted
- Use the “raise hand” button to ask a question
- Use the chatbox to answer questions, not for conversations between classmates (unless that is the directive)
Our first assignment will be the Orchestra Beginning of the Year (OBOY!) assignment. There will be some simple administrative tasks for you to complete. It won’t be difficult. Stay tuned for that post here on the website and links on Teams.
I’m looking forward to our meeting tomorrow and to our journey this year. Stay strong, be resilient, and be flexible. We can do this and we will have a great time!!