I want to welcome you, introduce myself, and give you some information about our first classes this week. First, I am so glad that you are supporting your child in the new adventure of playing a string instrument. I am excited to meet your child and get classes started.
My name is Caitlin Mihalko and I teach Orchestra at East Middle School. I also teach the 5th grade Orchestra programs at Lanigan, Beechview, and Highmeadow Elementary Schools. I will be teaching with a blended method of both traditional and Suzuki methods. We will have a method book, Essential Elements 2000 (this should have been provided/included with the rental instrument), but will also to learn to play by ear and memorize our music. We will begin without any music in front of us, with violins, violas, and basses standing. I will be having a parent only information/introduction night in October where you will receive further information regarding philosophy, methods, and daily instruction. You will receive further information about this event next week.
Schedule:
Highmeadow: Orchestra classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:00 pm. Students will be dismissed from class at 4:00. Classes will be held in the Media Center.
Lanigan: Orchestra classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30-8:15 am. Student arrival is expected at 7:25. Classes will be held in the Music Room.
Beechview: Orchestra classes will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-8:15 am. Student arrival is expected at 7:25. Classes will be held in the Media Center.
Highmeadow Student Pick-up: students will be dismissed from their classes to the Media Center for class. Students will be dismissed at 4:00 for pick-up from the Media Center. Please arrange with your child where they should find you for pick-up after school. I will not be waiting with students for pick-up. If you are running late or have to pick them up at a later time, please make arrangements with Y-Care. I believe that Mrs. Sanders is sending home information about this.
Beechview & Lanigan Student Arrival: the elementary principals have decided that for arrival in the morning, the building will be unlocked at 7:20, with parent & student arrival anticipated at around 7:25. Parents are asked to walk with your child to the Media Center where there will be a sign-in sheet. This will need to be done for each class.
The First Class: For our first class, we will be going over the basics of how to unpack and pack the instrument, how to prepare it for practice, how to assemble and disassemble the music stand, basics of holding the instrument, posture, and the strings. Please make sure that your child brings their music stand to the first class so that we can learn how to assemble it. Parents are welcome to attend this first class with your child. You are welcome to sit on the perimeter of class and observe.
Label Items: Because there are going to be several students with instruments and materials that are almost identical, it is very important that everything be labeled with the student's full name. Please do not label the instrument itself in any way. Do not write or place tape or stickers anywhere on the body of the instrument as that will damage the instrument. Please make sure their instrument case has a tag with their full name. It is also helpful to put a piece of duct tape on the and of the case with the student's full name on it as well. For the music stands that come apart in two pieces, please label both piece with the student's first and last name. If the stand comes in a carrying bag, please also label that. Label shoulder rests as well with either a piece of tape or silver sharpie. I will have a silver sharpie with me to assist any students who need their shoulder rest labeled with their name. Books need student name on the inside of the cover and your child's orchestra binder should also be labeled with their name.
Cellos & Basses: We will have school instruments at the building for students to use for class. Your rental instrument should, in general, stay home for daily practice and for concerts. I will need to see your child's cello or bass during the first week or two of classes. Cellos are welcome to bring their instrument to the first class, however it MUST go home that same day because there is no place to store student instruments overnight. If there is a day that you could bring the cello or bass to class so that I can tune it and either check the finger tapes or put on finger tapes, that would be extremely helpful. Please let me know if you plan to bring the instrument and I can take a minute to tune and tape it, then you can take it right back home.
Website: I have a website that I will be using throughout the year to update you, provide access to documents and assignments from class, and provide resources for parents and students. The website is www.eastorchestras.weebly.com. On the home screen there is a button at the bottom for 5th grade. There is also a drop-down on the "About Orchestra" tab for 5th grade Orchestra. The "Resources" tab has a lot of great information for parents on the Helpful Things, Instrument Care, and Great Opportunities pages.
Contact Information & Remind App: It is best to contact me via email, but please allow at least 24 hours for a response. Sometimes I am able to respond right away, and will if I am able to. I will be using the Remind app to contact parents. With this app, I will be able to send text messages directly to your phone and you can respond if needed without storing your personal information or giving out my personal phone number. Please take a moment to sign up and join our class.
To join, follow these directions:
Highmeadow: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @highmead
Lanigan: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @fhg24
Beechview: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @98466
I will be using this to send any important messages, updates, or in case there is an emergency in the morning (weather, traffic, illness, etc.) before student arrival.
If for some reason you are running late or have an emergency you can contact me through the text conversation. If you send a message I will receive it. You can also send an email to my school account. I will make sure to check my email at the beginning and end of class.
Further Information: I will be passing out further information in class this week and next week included classroom expectations, attendance information, practice expectations & information, performance dates, etc.
If you have any questions at this time please let me know and I will be happy to assist you. I look forward to working with your child this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Caitlin Mihalko
East Middle School Orchestras & Titan Strings
Beechview, Lanigan, Highmeadow 5th Gr. Orchestras
[email protected]
(248) 426-4930
My name is Caitlin Mihalko and I teach Orchestra at East Middle School. I also teach the 5th grade Orchestra programs at Lanigan, Beechview, and Highmeadow Elementary Schools. I will be teaching with a blended method of both traditional and Suzuki methods. We will have a method book, Essential Elements 2000 (this should have been provided/included with the rental instrument), but will also to learn to play by ear and memorize our music. We will begin without any music in front of us, with violins, violas, and basses standing. I will be having a parent only information/introduction night in October where you will receive further information regarding philosophy, methods, and daily instruction. You will receive further information about this event next week.
Schedule:
Highmeadow: Orchestra classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:00 pm. Students will be dismissed from class at 4:00. Classes will be held in the Media Center.
Lanigan: Orchestra classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30-8:15 am. Student arrival is expected at 7:25. Classes will be held in the Music Room.
Beechview: Orchestra classes will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-8:15 am. Student arrival is expected at 7:25. Classes will be held in the Media Center.
Highmeadow Student Pick-up: students will be dismissed from their classes to the Media Center for class. Students will be dismissed at 4:00 for pick-up from the Media Center. Please arrange with your child where they should find you for pick-up after school. I will not be waiting with students for pick-up. If you are running late or have to pick them up at a later time, please make arrangements with Y-Care. I believe that Mrs. Sanders is sending home information about this.
Beechview & Lanigan Student Arrival: the elementary principals have decided that for arrival in the morning, the building will be unlocked at 7:20, with parent & student arrival anticipated at around 7:25. Parents are asked to walk with your child to the Media Center where there will be a sign-in sheet. This will need to be done for each class.
The First Class: For our first class, we will be going over the basics of how to unpack and pack the instrument, how to prepare it for practice, how to assemble and disassemble the music stand, basics of holding the instrument, posture, and the strings. Please make sure that your child brings their music stand to the first class so that we can learn how to assemble it. Parents are welcome to attend this first class with your child. You are welcome to sit on the perimeter of class and observe.
Label Items: Because there are going to be several students with instruments and materials that are almost identical, it is very important that everything be labeled with the student's full name. Please do not label the instrument itself in any way. Do not write or place tape or stickers anywhere on the body of the instrument as that will damage the instrument. Please make sure their instrument case has a tag with their full name. It is also helpful to put a piece of duct tape on the and of the case with the student's full name on it as well. For the music stands that come apart in two pieces, please label both piece with the student's first and last name. If the stand comes in a carrying bag, please also label that. Label shoulder rests as well with either a piece of tape or silver sharpie. I will have a silver sharpie with me to assist any students who need their shoulder rest labeled with their name. Books need student name on the inside of the cover and your child's orchestra binder should also be labeled with their name.
Cellos & Basses: We will have school instruments at the building for students to use for class. Your rental instrument should, in general, stay home for daily practice and for concerts. I will need to see your child's cello or bass during the first week or two of classes. Cellos are welcome to bring their instrument to the first class, however it MUST go home that same day because there is no place to store student instruments overnight. If there is a day that you could bring the cello or bass to class so that I can tune it and either check the finger tapes or put on finger tapes, that would be extremely helpful. Please let me know if you plan to bring the instrument and I can take a minute to tune and tape it, then you can take it right back home.
Website: I have a website that I will be using throughout the year to update you, provide access to documents and assignments from class, and provide resources for parents and students. The website is www.eastorchestras.weebly.com. On the home screen there is a button at the bottom for 5th grade. There is also a drop-down on the "About Orchestra" tab for 5th grade Orchestra. The "Resources" tab has a lot of great information for parents on the Helpful Things, Instrument Care, and Great Opportunities pages.
Contact Information & Remind App: It is best to contact me via email, but please allow at least 24 hours for a response. Sometimes I am able to respond right away, and will if I am able to. I will be using the Remind app to contact parents. With this app, I will be able to send text messages directly to your phone and you can respond if needed without storing your personal information or giving out my personal phone number. Please take a moment to sign up and join our class.
To join, follow these directions:
Highmeadow: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @highmead
Lanigan: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @fhg24
Beechview: open a new text window and enter 81010. Text this message @98466
I will be using this to send any important messages, updates, or in case there is an emergency in the morning (weather, traffic, illness, etc.) before student arrival.
If for some reason you are running late or have an emergency you can contact me through the text conversation. If you send a message I will receive it. You can also send an email to my school account. I will make sure to check my email at the beginning and end of class.
Further Information: I will be passing out further information in class this week and next week included classroom expectations, attendance information, practice expectations & information, performance dates, etc.
If you have any questions at this time please let me know and I will be happy to assist you. I look forward to working with your child this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Caitlin Mihalko
East Middle School Orchestras & Titan Strings
Beechview, Lanigan, Highmeadow 5th Gr. Orchestras
[email protected]
(248) 426-4930