Cougar Band Update
Virtual Learning Week #3
Welcome to WEEK #3 of Virtual Learning!
We hope that this message finds your family doing well and staying healthy as we continue to work through this time together. It was encouraging to see more of our students in last week's Google Meets! Just like all of our band families, your directors are still working through several obstacles. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you or your child.
Communication
We will continue to use a variety of ways to reach our Coyle families. These include:
-Remind 101 (http://www.remind.com) code: coylemsb
-Charms (http://www.charmsoffice.com) school code: coylemsband student area password: your student ID (add the letter s in front if you have logged in before)
-Skyward (https://skyward-gprod.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedugarlandtx/seplog01.w)
-Google Classroom (we are using the SPRING semester classes for all students; Percussion will use their specific Percussion classes that have been active)
Assignments
Starting this week, ALL assignments will be submitted via Google Classroom. This will allow parents to see how their student is doing through the Google Classroom progress reports. Students should log into Google Classroom DAILY.
Some assignments will still require Smart Music, but they will be officially submitted through Google Classroom as a video. Please continue to login to smart music with this information: (http://www.smartmusic.com). Username: student school email address; Password: Smartmusic
Virtual Classes
GISD has chosen to use Google Meets for a lot of virtual learning. Students are expected to be professional in every meeting/lesson. Every online event will be recorded. This includes not only your audio/video but also student comments in the chat section.
This Week's Coyle Band Schedule
Audition music has been released to ALL students! In order to help all of our students prepare for May auditions, woodwinds & brass students will work together based on GRADE LEVEL. Percussion students will continue to meet by class this week.
*Woodwinds include: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone
*Brass includes: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Our schedule for WEEK 3 of Virtual Band Class is as follows:
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY (same schedule for both days)
- 1:00PM: 6th AND 7th Grade *WOODWINDS: https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
- 2:00PM: 6th AND 7th Grade *BRASS: https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
TUESDAY & THURSDAY (same schedule for both days)
- 12:00PM Non-Varsity Percussion https://meet.google.com/nur-aubz-sch
- 12:30PM Varsity Percussion https://meet.google.com/_meet/wqd-hhgm-qns
- 1:00PM: 8th Grade *WOODWINDS: https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
- 2:00PM: 8th Grade *BRASS: https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY (same schedule for both days)
- 11:30AM Beginning Percussion https://meet.google.com/ius-gmnc-sge
In addition to the above CLASS schedule, your band directors will have OFFICE HOURS for students to "meet" for any questions. Beginning woodwinds & brass may also play scale pass-offs during scheduled office hours.
Mrs. McHenry: 10:00-11:00AM daily; https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
Mr. Lira: 11:00AM-12:00PM daily; https://meet.google.com/opv-umve-hcy
Mr. McHenry: varies by day; https://meet.google.com/tsz-znqg-ivi
Google Meets NORMS
- Do your very best to be in a QUIET environment.
- Use headphones if you have them.
- Press "mute" (left button under your video) BEFORE joining any Meet.
- Wear school-appropriate clothing.
- If you are using the (preferred) video feature, we must be able to see your face and hands--especially when we are playing!
- Setup your practice area to promote great playing posture. Use a chair (no bed) and music stand if at all possible.
- Again, all Google Meets will be recorded, so conduct yourself in a way that will represent you and the school in a positive light.
8th graders headed to ROWLETT HS: Please Read!
PRACTICE RECORDS have gone DIGITAL!
NEW this week! Practice Records are now DIGITAL. Students will receive credit for practicing by submitting this form: https://forms.gle/xrwuNHxX2aQe5baS7
Students are urged to submit EVERY time they practice; however, students may submit the week's combined practice time by FRIDAY each week.
This information gives our GISD High School band directors a great opportunity to plan for next year. Please take a couple of minutes to submit this form!
Band Fees
We will still be collecting band fees. Statements will be emailed out weekly. At this time, Paypal is the only way to pay. We know that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on some families' financial situation. We completely understand. If a family is in a financial crisis because of the virus, we will hold off on collecting fees. It is important that we take care of the financials, but it is more important for families to take care of themselves. Most of the fees involved items and services that have already been provided. We trust each and every parent and child to pay what they can when they can. The CMS band program is a family and we will conduct ourselves in this manner.
Are you receiving REMIND texts from us?!?
Go to www.remind.com (or download the app) to join our CMS Band Remind: @coylemsb
Private lessons are one of the keys to a successful band program!
Our lesson staff is made up of professional musicians who specialize in your child's instrument. This is quite an interesting time for everyone, including lesson teachers and students! Many of our teachers are continuing to teach our students using different technology platforms such as FaceTime, Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, etc. Right now is a FANTASTIC time to add lessons to your weekly schedule! Contact your child's lesson teacher to get setup for virtual private lessons! Find their contact info here: http://coyleband.com/private-lessons/
school code: coylemsband
student area password: GISD ID number (when prompted, add the letter "s" in front of your child's ID number)
Contact your directors
Email: ralira@garlandisd.net
Website: coyleband.com
Location: 4500 Skyline Drive, Rowlett, TX, USA
Phone: (972)475-3711
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoyleMSBand/
Twitter: @coyle_band