AMS Chorus News
Weekly update for the Chorus at Austin Middle School
St. Patrick's Day Edition
I called this the St. Patrick's Day Edition, because, well.....St. Patrick's Day is this week. And it's the one week a year the kids crack "punny jokes" and remind me, "Hey, Mrs. Patrick, it's YOUR day!"
But let's acknowledge the elephant in the room and call it what it is....
the COVID-19 - CoronaVirus Edition.
When I think back to last week's newsletter and the excitement that was surrounding the concert and our upcoming LGPE performance, I can't help but be sad that this week is so very different. The experience in chorus for everyone will be drastically different this year. And for our sweet 8th graders, the experiences of their final year in middle school, whether chorus or otherwise, has been affected. I know this isn't easy for anyone, but we will be resilient.
Music is such a great outlet for a student's emotions. Whether listening, singing, or creating, it is my sincere hope that the students are able to find a way to express themselves through music during this time. Some of our digital learning day lessons will revolve around these methods of expression.
Below you will find all things Digital Learning. Please reach out if you have any questions about chorus, or about school in general. If I don't know the answer, I will do my best to find it for you!
While we are out, the following communication methods will be how you can reach me:
Email: spatrick@paulding.k12.ga.us
Text via Remind: see the remind codes below
Canvas Office Hours: I will be available to live chat in Canvas Mon-Fri from 10-11am and 2-3pm daily
Phone: If you would like to speak with me directly, please reach out via one of the methods above, and I will be happy to set up a phone conference.
Be well...
Musically Yours,
Mrs. Patrick
Parent Resources & District Updates
Digital Learning Days
There are "office hours" for all teachers in middle school from 10-11am and 2-3pm daily Mon-Fri. Of course, you can always reach your teacher via email, too!
CHORUS SPECIFIC: TO MY STUDENTS
We are learning together...I've never taught online classes before! We will begin with lessons, practice, and submissions we have done before and are familiar with. By the end of the week, be ready to try something new!!
Please try to meet the deadlines so that I can provide feedback on your submissions, but if you run into internet issues, computer crashes, or you yourself become ill, know that all work can be turned in upon our return.
There is no reason to stress if something doesn't work correctly or you can't figure out how to submit, etc, etc. Just meet me online during office hours to chat about it, or email me and we will figure it out together! If you email me before 8:00am or after 4:00pm, I may not respond immediately, but I will get back with you as soon as possible.
I will miss you dearly during our time apart. Hearing your voices sing is my favorite part of each day, and I will certainly miss our time together. Be strong. Be well. Be good.
Love, Mrs. Patrick
LGPE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
LPGE was officially cancelled by the Georgia Music Educators Association. I highly doubt that it will be rescheduled as it takes much planning and coordination from MANY school districts and directors to make it happen. There just won't be enough time left in the school year to organize and coordinate an event of that scale.
Mr. Brown (our band director) and I are working together to possibly have an opportunity for our students to still perform and provide them with a "special experience". (The band students were also affected as their LGPE was also cancelled.) Please stay tuned and as details become available and we know what the next few weeks will begin to look like, I will share our ideas and plans.
REMIND TEXTS.....DO YOU GET THEM?
Simply text the class code below to the number 81010
8th grade: @chorus8ams
7th grade: @chorus7ams
6th grade: @chorus6ams
General School News
Per the Paulding County School District, all schools and offices will be closed until further notice. We hope to resume on March 30th, but please remember this is flexible and subject to change.
All teachers in the middle school will hold office hours in Canvas from 10-11am and 2-3pm. Teachers are also available via email.
Canvas is our digital learning platform.
The pageant is tentatively rescheduled for Sat, April 18th.
Follow Us!
We now have an Instagram page, too! The page is austinmschorus.