Grade 8 Farewell

Dear Parents,

Thank you for getting back to me about the Farewell dates.  We will be keeping the Farewell on June 14, 2016. 

We did have conflicts with other grade 8’s who had checked with the school about Farewell before booking travel dates and flights.  Once we had made this date public, in all fairness we have to honor the decision.  We hope the families with conflicts on June 14^th are able to make accommodations.

Watch the teachers’ blogs for updates on planning meetings and more information.

Sincerely,

Russ Clarke

Arts Education - Native Flutes

January 18, 2016

Jack MacKenzie School

3838 Buckingham Drive                                                                        

Regina, Sask.

Parents/Caregivers,

To enrich the school music program, I will be offering Native American Flute instruction in my Grade 7/8 classes. Along with fulfilling a large component of the Arts Education outcomes, as well as our system wide goals for aboriginal education, this project is also a Practical and Applied Arts project.

        What is a Native American Flute?

A native American Flute is a wooden flute, which is know to have been used by first nations people from across North America.  In Canada, the flute was played by the Algonquin, Assiniboine, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Cree, Fox, Haida, Huron, Iroquois, MicMac, Ojibway, Okanagan, Omaha, Ottawa, Sauk, Seneca, Sioux and Thompson people.

There are many different types of flutes played by various first Nations people.  Some were made of wood and others were made from bone.  Your child will learn to play a Native American Flute that they have made from ABS tubing. 

            Building Our Own Flutes

Over the next few weeks, we will build and paint our “Northern Spirit Flutes”.  These flutes will be very sturdy and they will provide a lifetime of musical enjoyment.  They are a functional piece of art that reflects your child’s unique spirit.

            Payment

This project will cost $16.00 per student. The preferred payment method would be on-line. We will also accept cash. This price will also cover the cost of the materials that we will be using to paint and decorate the flute as well. Please pay for your recorder by January 28, 2016.

    

I am very excited about this unique, educational experience for your child.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at

791-8585.

Yours in music,

Marlene Hinz

Arts Education Specialist

Jack MacKenzie School.

cc Russ Clarke, Kelley Reoch

       Kyle DuMont, Angela Scott,

       Kevin Yeske

Grade 8 Farewell

January 15, 2016

Dear Parents,

As some of you know, our Grade 8 Farewell has been set for June 14, 2016.    Due to a conflict with a few of our families, I am asking for your feedback.  I know a number households have inquired about the date and were making family plans to accommodate June 14. 

I need to know if changing the Farewell date to June 21 would adversely affect your family.  An example:  I talked to a family who was planning on a June vacation and was booking flights accordingly.  This might be a potential conflict.

If we can, we would love to accommodate the families who have conflict on June 14^th, but not at the cost of having another child not be able to attend the event.  I need to hear back from you by Thursday, January 21 at noon.  At this time, if we do not adversely affect other families, we will make a final decision on changing the date of the Farewell.

Please contact me at (306) 791-8585 or russ.clarke@rbe.sk.ca

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this matter,

Russ Clarke