Fine Arts Newsletter
Little Elm ISD - October, 2021
Mission Statement
A quality Fine Arts education is essential to a well-rounded education for every child. Students that participate in the Arts are able to explore their passions and develop the creativity that is vital to every student's growth. Fine Arts teachers in Little Elm ISD are committed to the district's vision to Engage, Equip, and Empower each student to realize their full potential.
"Kyleigh plays the french horn in Wind Ensemble, is a section leader and is also a Lieutenant on the Blue Angels Drill Team. Kyleigh is a student who manages her time well, is very involved, is a great leader and comes to rehearsal each day with a smile on her face."
"Aiden is in 7th grade and a member of the Tenor Bass Choir here at Strike. Boys choir is typically a little more rowdy than your average choir class, and sometimes take a little more love to get them where they need to be. But Aiden has been a fabulous kid from day one. He listens well, he works hard, he plays hard, and he leads. He doesn't care what other students are doing around him he continually does what he is supposed to. He is doing a great job at sight-reading, which is a big push for us this year. He gets all of his work turned in on time. He does it all well. Any time I fix something in the music, he is right there working with me, doing exactly as I ask. He will do all the silly faces, stretches, and noises that the crazy choir teacher asks of him without a single mumble or argument. He is truly the ideal student and an honest pleasure to have in class."
Mr. Matt Neal is the percussion director/assistant band director at Little Elm High School. He coordinates all aspects of the high school percussion program, as well as instruction of the beginning percussion classes, middle school percussion sectionals and percussion ensembles. Mr. Neal held the same position at Creekview High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch from 2013-2017, Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall, Texas, for the 2012-2013 school year and North Lamar High School in Paris, Texas, from 2005-2012. Mr. Neal’s students have been recognized at the state and national level in all areas of performance, including concert and marching percussion ensemble, and in their solo endeavors.
Since 2004 Mr. Neal has been a percussion instructor and the music coordinator for the Red River Drum and Auxiliary Camp, an annual summer camp providing instruction for marching percussion, color guard and drum majors. It is one of the largest and most successful summer camps of its kind in the country. From 2007 to 2010 Mr. Neal was the percussion arranger/writer for the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Marching Band in Durant, Oklahoma.
Mr. Neal graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, with a degree in Instrumental Music Performance in 2003. Following his time at SOSU, he earned a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Percussion Performance in 2005. Mr. Neal currently resides in Frisco, Texas with his wife Angela, an Orff specialist and the elementary music teacher for Fisher Elementary School in Frisco ISD.
Mr. Neal, we are proud that YOU are part of the LEISD Fine Arts Team!
Talk about one strategy you use in your classroom that ensures that students are engaged and not prone to behaviors that would cause disruptions?
Lisa McClellan said, "I walk the classroom most of the class period - helping them with their art and since they never know where I will be, most major behavior issues don't happen."
* I think this strategy is great! Proximity to students can be a great deterrent of unwanted behavior. Teacher who are moving about their classroom / rehearsal often have a better sense of what each person in each row is doing.
What is your strategy for dealing with cell phones in your classroom?
Casi Currington said, "Phones go in the folder slots unless specifically asked to come out."
Melisa Connour said, "Depends on the class. My lower level classes get to use the cell phone bag. Since I do not have enough cameras in my photography classes, I do allow them to use their phones to take photos, but the expectation is for editing and photos only."
* Cell phones can become an issue in the classroom if the teacher's policy is not thorough. If they can be used in a constructive manner for the class, that is great. If not, what is your policy? If students are actively engaged in the instruction, phones should not be an issue.
UPDATE - NEW Performance Dates for EPIC PROPORTIONS
Blue Angels @ Homecoming (10/1)
Lobo Band Percussion
North Texas Drumline Contest - No Rankings / Clinic Only
Lewisville Drumline Contest - 11/6/21
Annual Strike vs. Walker Football Game @ Lobo Stadium
Links for Administrators / Teachers / Parents
Links for Fine Art Teachers
In an effort to provide safety and security for all students in LEISD, the district requires that parent volunteers complete an annual background check, due after July 1st of each year. The application used for the check is called AppGarden. The link is provided below. Should a volunteer need to provide fingerprinting, the district will notify the applicant with instructions on how to complete the background process.
THANK YOU for being willing to volunteer of your free time for the students in Little Elm ISD!
LEISD Fine Arts Advisory Team
Hailey Adams
Michelle Davis
Frank Felice
Megan Hoffman
Amy Lawhead
Lisa McClellan
Frank Felice
Director for Fine Arts
Little Elm ISD
Office (972) 947-9340 x.10107
Facebook - @LEISDFineArts
Twitter - @LEISDFineArts