Special Music School Parents Association

For information about music dates please check http://www.kaufman-center.org/smscoe.htm and please be sure to check for up-to-the-minute changes in the weekly Music Director’s report.

While the deadline for paper orders for Sally Foster is Tuesday, October 30th on-line orders will continue to count for a few weeks! If you missed the deadline, you can still participate. Sally Foster Distribution Day is Friday, November 16th. Silver Graphics order forms were sent home on October 25th and are due at school on Tuesday November 13, 2007

On Wednesday, November 7, 2007, the 5th Grade will perform at the J.A.S.A., West Side Senior Center, located at 120 West 76th Street, New York, NY. AND On Wednesday November 14, 2007, the 8th Grade Community Service Concert will be held at Amsterdam House, 1060 Amsterdam Avenue.

Jenny B. and Gerry H. recommend this article from New York Magazine called “Snooze or Lose” that says “…kids are getting at least an hour’s less sleep than they need a deficiency that, new research reveals, has the power to set their cognitive abilities back years.” You can find the link at http://nymag.com/news/features/38951/

On Thursday, October 18, 2007, Roger Clark from N.Y.1 News will be joining the Special Music School staff as Principal for a day. He will be leading a Special Performance Class to be held at 2:15PM in the Ann Goodman Recital Hall.

Wednesday, October 24th 9:00–10:30AM, Cafeteria. “Getting the Most out of Practice with your Young Musician” parents (and students) of grades K and 1. Last year, SMS hosted three very well-received workshops for parents and students grades K-8 devoted to practicing issues and techniques. They were led by Mary Jo Pagano, from the Third Street Music School Settlement. Mary Jo is an experienced piano teacher, chamber music coach and the mother of musical children. Mary Jo will work on age-appropriate practice issues and strategies.

We’re off to a good start but could still use your help. The Sally Foster fall fundraiser is our largest fundraising event of the year. Please consider ways to participate including a direct contribution to the school. There are many fun weekly incentives but to be eligible for them you must report your sales to Tess Roney (Mae, Grade 5.) Remember the fundraiser end on October 30, 2007. Let’s have the best year ever!

We appreciate all the ways SMS families contribute to making our school the special place it is. The PTA is looking for leaders for the Spring Barnes and Noble Fundraiser, if you can help, please contact Degna Levister (Amory, Grade 4.) We also need a coordinator for Buddy Families in 2008, contact Cathy Rosamond (Lulu, Grade 3) and a coordinator for next year’s After School Programs, contact, Vicki Dennis (Simon, Grade 4.) Finally, in an effort to increase the number and functionality of the computers for the K-4 classrooms the PTA is seeking donations of volunteer time and/or equipment. If you can donate time or equipment, please contact Grace Lim (Nina, Grade 1.)