Play Rehearsals Have Begun

First of all, I apologize for not getting this post out on Friday! Please CAREFULLY read the below information, I know it is lengthy, but I promise it is a worth while read, packed with information!

Play rehearsal weeks at HC

Monday, April 13-Thursday, April 23

                       

First thing in the morning (starting right at 8:30) students will hand in homework, pick up new work for the day, and review the classroom, drama, and music schedules. It is difficult for students to catch up when they are late or come in right at the bell. Having students to school no later than 8:20 is very helpful. 

Students go to regular specials unless they are called to drama and music. Students go to drama and music throughout the day for rehearsals. The schedule of who is called to rehearsals varies from day to day. 

When students are not in drama rehearsals, music rehearsals, or specials, they are in our fifth grade room working on independent and small group work. I will be teaching small groups, working one-on-one, and helping kids remember where to go when!

Students will be keeping all of their class work in a red folder. We'll store binders in cubbies for the duration of the play. A daily assignment sheet will substitute for their usual homework planner notebook. Students will need their red folder and play script each day. We recommend each student have a labeled, hard-sided water bottle.

During these two weeks, homework will consist of work not completed in the classroom, and reading. I’ll simplify homework as needed if students are out of the classroom most of the day for rehearsals. I still intend to only assign about an hour of homework per night. It’s going to vary a lot from night to night, depending on how much rehearsal time a student has on any given day. They should still be reading for homework. We do classroom work and homework while we are at HC. Once we move to Hopkins, classroom work and homework temporarily ends (with the exception of plenty of reading). 

What You Can Do:

This is a time to check your child’s homework each night. If your child is grumpy about this, then so be it. Make sure they get a good breakfast and enough sleep. Make sure your child has all of their homework and their script each and every day.

Rehearsal week at BC

Friday, April 24-Friday, May 1

Friday, April 23 will be our first day traveling to the MPAC, located at the Blake Campus in Hopkins. This will be our home away from home until we put on our play. We'll rehearse in the mornings, go to recess and lunch, and rehearse in the afternoons. Students will either be on stage, in the orchestra pit, or reading in the audience seats.

The bus leaves HC each day at 8:40 and returns to HC around 3:20.

We will return to HC earlier on the day of the play, Friday, May 1. (We’ll send more information about that later).

You have the option of dropping your child off at BC in the mornings. Students will wait in the Lower School Office or MPAC lobby, supervised by Ms. Senum. Our bus from HC will pull up around 9:00.  

You have the option of picking up your child at BC at the end of the day. You may do so at 3:00. Students will be waiting in the MPAC lobby with Ms. Senum. They are not allowed to wait in the Middle School. 

Please be crystal clear with your child if you are planning to pick them up from the MPAC at the end of the day. (We will assume you are meeting us at BC in the morning if your child is not on the HC bus by 8:40; no notification is needed). Kids get easily confused and stressed about end-of-day transportation during this week, so just telling them about changes is not enough and "change of plans" e-mails to us during the day may not get read. An e-mail at the start of the day or a hand-written note keeps things clear. Students may not make alternate plans with friends during the day, and parents may not take home other children without your consent (communicated directly to us). When in doubt, students will accompany us back to HC at 3:00. 

Students should bring a book to read (e-reader or standard editions), script, pencil, water bottle, small clip-on book light (if they do not have a backlit e-reader), and a jacket every single day. It is often quite chilly at recess! They should bring everything in a backpack or bag that has a closed top. 

Students do not bring any kind of food or money. E-readers are acceptable but are only to be used for reading (not games). If your child must carry a cell phone, they must be turned off and stored during the day. You can always call the BC office in an emergency. They’ll get a message to us in the MPAC.

What You Can Do: be crystal clear about transportation plans with your child and with us. Make sure your child have a warm jacket for recess. Make sure they have their script and a book in a backpack/bag. Good breakfast and good sleep help everyone a lot! Be alert for the day costumes are due. This day is a stressor for students who come unprepared. Also, have your plans ready for Play Night and communicate them to your child. They get anxious if they don't know who is coming when.