Great Summer of Learning

This has probably been one of the best Summer breaks in my career for professional development and Rest and Relaxation!  I flipped the schedule a little bit this year, so perhaps that was a big part of it.  The day after graduation, I took off with the whole family on an 8 day vacation to Wisconsin Dells!  I felt especially blessed to have my adult children along with Peggy and I.  We even had Peggy's sister and mother along as well.  What an awesome time we had.  The next phase of my summer was spent in Professional conferences.  I spent three days at the Conn-Selmer Institute in Mishawaka, IN.  This one is mostly instrumental focused as it sponsored by the largest American Manufacturers of Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion instruments.  But, I attended several very helpful sessions and performances by many instrumental directors and performers.  After about a week at home, I went to Indianapolis to the Indiana Choral Director's Association Summer Conference.  It was there that I was again reminded that no matter how much you know, there is ALWAYS more to learn.  So, I encourage anyone reading this to seek out the opportunities to do that in whatever job or career you are involved!  Now... back to work on planning for an awesome year.

Midterms already??

     It is amazing that we are already in week 3+ in the 2018-19 school year.  It has been a very smooth start to the year here at Southern Wells!  Our teachers and new administration have set a positive tone to focus on growth and learning here in Wells County.  Our music department is excited to get another year underway.  We are also excited to see what the 2018 Bluffton Street Fair has in store for us.  The band will appear in two of the parades during fair week.  And, our music boosters will again host their fair booth featuring their amazing taco salads, sloppy joes, and made from scratch chicken noodle soup.
     We have approval for many events during the year including our Annual Community Christmas Sing, a Fall Concert, and the annual Show Choir Event - Raider Classic!  A Bingo event and All You Can Eat Dan's Fish/Chicken are also on in 2019.  The band is bigger and better.  The choir has an enthusiastic group of Freshmen!  All in all, I expect a great year.  Cheer us on in the Street Fair parades and come to hear us perform on our Fall Concert, November 19, 2018.

Another Pep Band Season in the Books!

     At tonight's boys basketball game in the Raider dome the Raider Force Pep Band will wrap up another season of rowdiness!  Mr. Haigh has received many compliments from parents and other patrons showing appreciation for the many games where the band has performed.  As your director, I am proud of your performances at most games.  It is a lot to ask of a few of you to place a higher priority to this endeavor due to your role in the group.  So a shout out to Jay Garrett for the dedication of your time and talents on the Drums!  Also, a shout out to Colin Sackett, (nicknamed the assistant director) for your talent on the Bass guitar!  A strong rhythm section as both of you know is the foundation to a great sound.  So, THANK YOU.  We are at our best when you show up and play well. 
     Several members committed to playing at every scheduled event whenever possible.  So a shout out to Danika Harris, Joseph McElhaney, Mark Geisel, Matt Geisel, and Vaughn Drennen!  That is not easy to do as we play at 14+ games each year.  Also, I would like to say thanks to Donita Harris for being our equipment manager.  So, to everyone we say, see you next year in the Raider Dome!

Why Final Exams!! ... a teacher's perspective

The purpose of a final exam in any class has many uses.  Students should try not view it with stress.  Sure, your grade will be affected by the results.  But, when viewed through the following lens, it is a valuable experience and provides vital feedback.  Mr. Haigh chooses to look at it as an opportunity to evaluate his own teaching and the information and the abilities that have been imparted to his students.  He assigns a grade to it because that provides the extrinsic motivation to those being evaluated to do their best to interact and learn the material and skills being presented. Words spoken by a teacher, "This will be on the test" is often a clue to the learner that it is important enough to the teacher to assess it at the end of the unit.  The state DOE provides standards to all subject areas to provide the same clue to teachers and students that the material is deemed important to success in learning a discipline of study.  So, as you prepare to take your finals view the process as a way to look back on everything you learned throughout the course.  And, yes it will likely provide feedback to you (and the teacher) about all things that we could have learned more thoroughly.  Good luck this week.

URGENT: Century Resources Fundraiser Pick Up Postponed

The items from the fund raiser with Century Resources for the music department will be arriving on Thursday!  This was at my request when I was not sure what our power situation was going to be be both the school and individuals who participated in the sale.  This was a huge request of the company for which I am very grateful. This is close to $10,000 worth of perishable food items that was originally going to be delivered to the school on Tuesday afternoon.  All other details of pickup will remain unchanged only the day is affected.

Plan to pick up your fund raiser items anytime Thursday afternoon by 5:30 PM in the high school music room.  Deliver to your customers and collect money from them promptly following.

And, thanks for you participation in the sale.

Mr. Haigh

End of 1st Nine Weeks

Members of the JH Choir & Your parents,

As most of you are aware, the large size of our Junior High Choir has been both a blessing and a curse.  At a school the size of Southern Wells Jr High, when numbers in any organization reach a certain threshold, the quality may begin to be negatively affected.  With any organization where the size dictates a reduction in numbers to be competitive and successful, so it is with this year's Junior High choir.  We are reducing the size of our JH choir in the days following the Fall Concert.

A number of criteria are being considered to make these reductions including, but not limited to:

• 9-Week Grades (in choir and/or overall)
• Vocal ability
• Maturity level
• Group dynamic
• Behavior & discipline
• Attitude

Mr. Haigh is looking at this much like a director of a play or coach of a sports' team.  In the 1-2 days after the Fall concert the "cast/roster" will be set. Watch your school email to see if you will be effected and Mr. Mangus and/or Mr. Wagner will make contact with you to adjust your class schedule.

We expect great things to come, and we hope that anyone who is removed from the group due to this adjustment knows that they are cared for!  These changes are in the best interest of the entire group though unfortunate for some individuals.

Musically yours,

Mr. Haigh

JH Choir Numbers Adjustment

Members of the JH Choir & Your parents,

As you are probably aware, the large size of our Junior High Choir has been both a blessing and a curse.  At a school the size of Southern Wells Jr High, when numbers in any organization reach a certain threshold, the quality can begin to be negatively affected.

As with any organization where the size dictates a reduction in numbers to be competitive and successful, so it is with this year's Junior High choir.  We are reducing the size of our JH choir in the days following the Fall Concert.

A number of criteria are being considered to make these reductions including, but not limited to:

9-Week Grades
Vocal ability
Maturity level
Behavior & discipline
Attitude

Mr. Haigh is looking at this much like a director of a play or coach of a sports' team.  In the 1-2 days after the Fall concert the "cast/roster" will be set.

We expect great things to come, and we hope that anyone who is removed from the group due to this adjustment knows that they are cared for!  In the future, alterations in the structure of the choral music program may better accommodate the increased interest.  But for now, these changes are in the best interest of the entire group though they may be unfortunate for some individuals.

I look forward to parent/teacher conferences.

Musically yours,

Mr. Haigh