What's the buzz?  Tell me what's a happening!
Let me know what is going on at your site in regards to next year.  Do you think you'll get a pink slip or be excessed?  Are your sections of theatre being cut back?  Do you have to pick up another subject?  Are you planning to retire?  Are you losing your extended day pay?  Or maybe things are looking great for you!  No matter what, I want to know!

Advocacy for your program is key right now.  Rally the parents and have them make their support known to the principal and site council.  With the sight based budget and principals making tough decisions, this is more important than ever.  Have students give curtain speeches at your performances explaining the importance of the work and how being part of your program has benefited them.  Ask the students and teachers to write to the school board members as well.

But the best thing you can do right now is RECRUIT!  Numbers speak louder than anything else.  If you have the enrollment in your classes, the program is much less likely to get cut.  Please write to share your most effective recruitment techniques.  Organize your students to do a flash mob performance at lunch and then hand out flyers to promote your classes.  Ask to have kids go into English classes to do a scene and recruit.  What other ideas do you have?

Remember that the arts are a curricular subject.  They are core, not extra or enrichment.  They are required in the A-G that the school board wants to make mandatory for graduation and is currently required for UC and CSU application.  Theatre is called out by name in the NCLB documents both nationally and at the state level.  Theatre classes can keep kids in school, boosting ADA which translates to dollars.  Make sure  you have facts to back up the necessity your program and that you're not just whining to keep your job.  That will be heard by the powers that be in a much more meaningful way.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Third Annual Tech Fest!

Who: SDETA and Grossmont College
What:  Workshop and Festival for Tech Theatre Students
Where:  Grossmont College, Theatre Arts Building
When:  February 12, 2011, 8:00 - 3:00

Registration deadline is February 8th.  For more info and to sign up contact Kirsten Girard at Valhalla High School. 619-593-5454 or kgiard@guhsd.net

ImprovFEST

A new venue!  More fun than ever before!  Be sure to sign up early.  This event is for middle and high school improv teams.

Who:  SDUSD Improv Teams
What:  Friendly Competition and Workshop
Where:  10th Avenue Playhouse
When:  March 26th, 8:00 - 3:00

For more info and to sign up contact Stacey Allen at Clairemont High School.  sallen@sandi.net or  (858) 273-0201 ex 4502

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for funding opportunities?  See if any of these are a fit.

Bisquick
Description: Bisquick solicits applications for the second annual Pancake Nation grant program providing small grants for pancake breakfast fundraisers.
Maximum Award: $250 grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and schools.
Deadline: February 28, 2011
http://www.bisquickpancakenation.com

48HourPrint.com
Description: 48HOurPrint.com seeks applications for the Giving Across America program, helping nonprofits and schools offset costs by providing printed materials for fundraising and promotional needs.
Maximum Award: In-kind donations of printed materials for fundraising and promotional needs.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, education foundations and schools.
Deadline: Rolling.
http://www.48hourprint.com/giving-across-america.html

The Hagen Family Foundation
Description: The Hagen Family Foundation provides grants in the area of arts, education, environment and social services.
Maximum Award: Varies by project.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations such as education foundations.
Deadline: 2011 deadlines to be announced in November 2010.  Check website for information.
http://www.hagenfamilyfoundation.org/process.htm

Hot Topic Foundation
Description: The Hot Topic Foundation supports programs and organizations that focus on encouraging and educating youth in music, creative writing, painting, photography, filmmaking and more.
Maximum Award: Minimum grant amount is $25,000.
Eligibility: 501 (c)(3) organizations serving youth aged 18 and younger.
Deadline: Rolling
http://community.hottopic.com/content/grant-application

ING
Description: ING is accepting applications for the 2011 ING Unsung Heroes Awards providing educators with funds to support innovative class projects.
Maximum Award: Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to 100 educators.  Three additional winners will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
Eligibility: K-12 fulltime educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff with effective projects that improve student learning.
Deadline: April 30, 2011
http://www.ing.us/about-ing/citizenship/childrens-education/ing-unsung-heroes

JB Hunt
Description: JB Hunt provides funding for educational and youth initiatives.
Maximum Award: Funding varies by project, and scope.
Eligibility: Schools, 501(c)(3) organizations and education foundations.
Deadline: December each year, for funding the following calendar year.
Website: http://www.jbhunt.com/aboutus/corporategiving.html
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Description: The Northwestern Mutual Foundation seeks applications to their four initiatives that:
•    Improve reading proficiency for K-8 students and teaching basic money management skills for students in grades 6-12;
•    Provide effective and exemplary hands-on arts programming for K-12 students not receiving arts education in the classroom;
•    Provide prevention programs that encourage children to make healthy diet choices without smoking or other substance abuse;
•    Increase the accessibility of therapies and treatment plans for children with special needs.
Maximum Award:  In 2009 the foundation awarded more than $12 million in grants.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and schools.
Deadline: January 15, 2011 (financial literacy grants), March 15, 2011 (arts education grants), March 31, 2011 (special needs grants), August 15, 2011 (prevention grants), September 30 (literacy grants.)
northwesternmutual.com/about
 
Send a Kid to See a Show!  Check Out a Colleague's Work!

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS IN CONCERT
SCPA
February 5 @ 2pm
February 3, 4, 5 @ 7pm
Contact Amy Blatt at ablatt@sandi.net

COMMEDIA DEL ARTE
Serra High School
Student Directed, Acted and Produced
February 1, 3 & 4 at 6:30
February 3 at 2:45
For info contact Ruth Howell at rhowell@sandi.net

MUSIC MAN JR.
Valencia Park Center for Academics, Drama and Dance
Directed by Teri Ang
Designed by Patrick Garcia
Feb. 3, 4 & 5 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $3.00 adults, $1.00 students
619-264-0125 ext. 3022 or 3023
tang@sandi.net or pgarcia2@sandi.net

WEST SIDE STORY
Clairemont High School
Directed by Stacey Allen
Feb. 17,18,19,24,25 at 6:00 Feb. 26 at 4:00   
Stacey will give any theatre dept. 1/2 price tics or better if they need it.
sallen@sandi.net

Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA (School Edition)
Mira Mesa High School
Directed by Daniel Kriley
March 11-12, 17-19
dkriley@sandi.net

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
Point Loma High School
Directed by Jennifer Gardham
March 4, 5, 10, 11, &12 at 6:30 pm
Ticket prices are $7
jgardahm@sandi.net

ANNIE JR.
Dana Middle School
Directed by Bill Cobb
March 15 - 18.  S
tudent matinees on March 15, 16, & 17.
Evening performance is at 7 pm on March 18.
wcobb1@sandi.net

AIMING HIGH
HONOR THEATRE PROJECT
Directed by Dennis Hollenbeck
Produced by Belinda Brown
Hosted by University City High School Theatre Department
March 17, 7:00 Pay What You Can Performance
March 18, 7:00
March 19, 2:00
Students $5, Adults $10, Reserved $15
This project has students from 9 different high schools from across our district.  It will be a very special production.  Make sure to come and see it!
Contact Marjorie Treger for more info - mtreger1@sandi.net

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Horace Mann Middle School
Directed by Maria Christodoulou 
March 18th 2011 @ 6.30pm
For info:  619.582.8990 ext 2405 or mchristodoulou@sandi.net

DEAR EDWINA
CPMA
Directed by Cathy Hickman
March 23 & 24, 6:30pm
Students $3.00 w/ASB sticker on ID or $4.00 w/out
Children 6 and under free
Preferred Seating (guarantees first 5 rows) $7.00
More info:  chickman@sandi.net

ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR.
Marshall Middle School
Directed by Katherine Girvin
April 21, 22 and 25 at 6:00
April 23 at 1:00
For info:  kgirvin@sandi.net

OLIVER
Pershing Middle School
Directed by Terry Miller
May 18--9:15 AM & 1:00 PM
May 19--9:15 AM & 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM
May 20--9:15 AM & 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Admission Free
tmiller2@sandi.net

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Dana Middle School
Directed by Kelly Kocar
May 19 - 20
Student Matinees May 19 at 9:15 and 11:15
Evening Performance May 20 at 7:00
kkocar@sandi.net

Let me know what I've missed or what you need from me!

m.