Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a restful and relaxing holiday break.  As theatre teachers you sure earned it!  So many of you were deep in production, working your tails off, before we left in December.  And now so many of your are right back at it rehearsing shows already!  Please keep me posted on what you are doing.

Before break I had the chance to see "The Yellow Boat" at SCPA.  It was a very meaningful and carefully crafted production.  Congratulations to director Bill Doyle and all involved.

Board of Education/Budget Update

Be a part of a bigger conversation!

Today the board meets at 2:00pm to "discuss and review information on alternative school district leadership models."

To see the supporting documents for more information, go to the SDUSD web site, click on the "Board of Education" tab, then click on the "Meetings" tab.  It will take you to a page where you can go to the BoardDocs site and explore what will be discussed at each meeting.

Tonight at 5:00pm the board will continue the meeting to "discuss the draft list of proposed priorities for the priority-based budgeting process and develop the final proposed list for consideration and action by the board at the regular January 12, 2010 board meeting."

Why does this matter to you?

Well- It looks like there are big changes on the horizon.  Starting with what leadership at the top will look like, what the board considers a priority for our students, and what will be cut come March 15th when next year's budget has to be submitted.

NOW is the time to rally your troops, parents, teachers, students and community partners to make sure your voice is heard BEFORE the tough choices are made by the board.  If there are areas that you are interested in that are still on the "cut" list (busing, class size, VAPA, OCILE, GATE, Seminar, etc.) this is your chance to hear what the board is thinking and speak up.

I know that sometimes our classroom is the only thing we can focus on.  Our campus becomes the biggest line of vision we have in our work-a-day world.  But I would like to remind you that you can be part of a bigger conversation that is shaping the future of our school district, our students and our jobs.  That conversation starts today.

I realize this is late notice, but the next board meeting will be on Jan. 12th.  That's your next chance to be heard or even just bear witness to the process.  If you can't go in person, you can even catch it live on TV (ITV).

And now I'll get off the soapbox....

Honor Theatre Update - Stefanie Hero

We have assembled an amazing cast, crew and production staff and this promises to be an outstanding production.  There are 36 students from seven different high schools participating this year.   There will be sword fighting, puppets, romance, magic, music and more!

Our director, Lori Petermann, is an amazing talent. If you would like to pop into a rehearsal to see the process, you are always welcome!  Shoot me an email and I'll give you the schedule.

Many, many thanks to Ann Lyon-Boutelle, at La Jolla High, for hosting and producing the project this year!  


DramaFest...

...is fast approaching!  Applications and payment are due January 21st.  The festival is Saturday, January 30th from 8 - 3 at Grossmont College.

This event is always terrific and well run.  If you are considering applying to be a "Bravissimo" school this year, this event is one of the requirements.

Have questions?  Contact DramaFest coordinator Rob Delorfano at rob.dellorfano@smusd.org.

Huge Resource Library

The Actors Alliance of San Diego has made a huge donation of scripts and theatre related texts to the VAPA department.  We still don't have it all on shelves, much less categorized, but there is LOTS here!  Come on by and check it out!


So long- and thanks for all the fish !  ;0)

m.