Well, it feels good to be back in the saddle after being sidelined by a back injury for two weeks. If only the news in the district was better!
Budget Freeze
Hopefully you are not feeling the freeze too much at your sites. With procurement cards frozen, some things you are used to purchasing easily and quickly may require more advanced planning. Everything must now go through the purchase order process, which can be time consuming. Speak to the person at your site who is in charge of the budgeting and purchasing so you are not caught off guard.
The other two areas that may effect you are with contracts, if you are hiring outside people to work with your students, and field trips. My recommendation is to push through all paperwork and encumber all funds now so they cannot be denied later.
Let me know if you need more information regarding the budget freeze.
Advocacy
Here is a chance for your voice (or better yet your student’s and parent’s voices) to be heard. I encourage you to get together a group of key people to attend one of the below meetings and ask pointed questions about the future of the arts programs in our schools. Be proactive and get these people on record with their views. Our district is still faced with tough choices to balance the budget for the next two years. Be part of the conversation.
From the district website:
“Parents, students, employees and community members are strongly encouraged to attend one of five upcoming Budget Town Hall Meetings. Attendees will learn more about the budget crisis and offer ideas and feedback for the Board of Education on the best ways to balance the budget for the 2010-11 school year. Each meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m.:
* Thursday, November 19
Serra High School (Media Center)
Sub-District B - Katherine Nakamura
* Thursday, December 3
San Diego High School (Performing Arts Theater)
Sub-District D - Richard Barrera
* Wednesday, December 9
Mission Bay High School (Auditorium)
Sub-District C - John de Beck
* Tuesday, December 15
Lincoln High School (Performing Arts Theater)
Sub-District E - Shelia Jackson
* Thursday, December 17
Madison High School (Performing Arts Center)
Sub-District A - John Lee Evans
For more information, please visit www.sandi.net/budget or contact Bernie Rhinerson, chief district relations officer at (619) 725-5578.”
Okay – Now For the Good News!
In spite of the freeze we are still here and kicking and planning good things for you!
Theatre Teacher Meeting – December 3rd
Please join me on December 3rd for a Shakespeare Festival Workshop!
From 4 - 6pm
Location TBA
What is it? Sandra Buehner and Steve Lipinsky from the San Diego Shakespeare Society will be offering a workshop on developing a piece to take to the Shakespeare Festival this year. This will be a fun, hands on workshop, which will also qualify as the required planning meeting to participate in the festival.
Those of you who have not participated in the past because of personnel at the Shakespeare Society can be reassured that Sandi Beuhner will be your only point of contact.
Please RSVP so that we know how many copies to make!
This was originally going to be a training for just middle school teachers, but in now being opened to all theatre teachers. If you would like to bring along an English teacher friend to create another piece or to represent your school, please do so!
High School Honor Theatre Project a Go!
I have been reassured that the $$ for this project will not disappear. I sure hope I can believe them!
Auditions for this project are fast approaching! High school teachers should have received a packet in school mail containing a copy of the script and the forms necessary for the students to complete for auditions.
To audition students need to prepare a 1 – 2 minute contemporary monologue, fill out the forms, attach a resume and picture and email me for an audition time. mtreger1@sandi.net
I’m happy to come out to your site to pitch the project to your students. Please let me know ASAP as auditions are the second week of December.
Please contact me with any questions. It’s a great opportunity for the students and promises to be an exciting production.
San Diego Opera Program
Wednesday, November 18 at Crown Point Elementary will have a training for the San Diego Opera beginning at 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm. If you are interested in having your students attend an evening rehearsal, please contact Angela Kanish at (619) 533- 7087. She will have the free bus information ready for you at this training. This program is available for 3rd to 12th graders. This training will then be followed up with a docent visit that can be tailored to your theatre classes.
Another Opening Another Show…
High schools are in full production mode. Congratulations to UC High on a great run of “Frankenstein” and to Patrick Henry on their successful run of "The Crucible."
Here’s what’s happening at other sites. Encourage your students to get out and see something!
“Twilight Zone” at Clairemont High School
November 12 – 14 and 19 -21 at 6:00pm
Discounts for theatre students!
Call Mr. Stacey Allen at 858-273-0201 x4502
“When the World Ends/In the Aftermath” at Scripps Ranch HS
Written by two SRHS students Stephen Patterson and Caleb Roitz
November 12 – 13 at 7:00pm at November 14 at 4:00pm
Tickets $5
“The Good Doctor” at Madison High School
November 17 – 19 at 6:30pm
Tickets $5
“The Mousetrap” at La Jolla High School
November 18 at 3:00 and November 19 -21 at 7:00pm
Go and see the space we will be doing the Honor Theatre Project!
Thanks for all you do for theatre students. I really appreciate all of you.
‘til next time!
Marjorie
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