WNYOSA INVITES GRAOSA MEMBERS TO THEIR

WORKSHOPS

The Western NY Orff Schulwerk Association has extended an invitation to members of our chapter to attend their workshops for a fee of $10.00 per workshop or $20.00 for all of their workshops.  All WNYOSA workshops are held at:

Heritage Heights Elementary School

2545 Sweet Home Road

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

http://www.wnyosa.blogspot.com/

*NOTE TO G.R.A.O.S.A. MEMBERS:

Orff Chapter GUEST PASS

All members of GRAOSA have a pass for one free guest per year.  Bring a friend and share in the fun!

In-service Credit for Local Workshops

You can receive in-service credit from your school for attending the GRAOSA workshops. 

·        In-service credit will be awarded in 5 hour increments to those attending a GRAOSA workshop

·        In order to receive this credit, workshop attendees must arrive at the workshop no later than 9:00 a.m., and leave no earlier than 2:00 p.m.  It is suggested that participants arrive by 8:30 a.m. to allow time for sign-in and refreshments.

·        Workshop attendees must sign in by 9:00 a.m., and must indicate on the sign-in sheet that they are seeking in-service credit for the day

·        Workshop attendees must pick up their own signed in-service form at the completion of the workshop

Are you a new teacher looking to complete 175 hours of workshops?  Our workshops can help you to complete that goal.  Be sure to attend during the required hours (see above) and take the signed in-service form with you at the end of the workshop.  The Orff and Kodaly levels classes can also be used toward meeting this requirement and could give you up to 80 hours in one summer for a two week class.

GRAOSA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

From Mary Malloy

I hope this message finds all of you well rested and recharged for another new school year.  As teachers, we have an advantage over the average “Joe” in that we get two fresh starts every year, whereas the rest of the world only gets New Years Day!  This being the case, now is the perfect time to set new goals for yourself.  Does your district have a new initiative that you need to “get on board” with?  Are you hoping to include more technology in your teaching this year?  Try out some new assessment strategies?  Whether this is your first year teaching or your 20^th, there’s always something new to challenge your creativity and hone your teaching chops.  As you reflect on what these goals for the new year are, please remember to include time to have fun and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The 2009-10 school year is an exciting time to be a part of GRAOSA.  In case you didn’t know, this is our 40^th Anniversary year for our chapter.  In true Orffan style, we plan on celebrating at every opportunity possible, beginning with our first workshop, September 26, with newly elected Region V representative, Wesley Ball.  At this, and every workshop this year, we will have a birthday cake along with our regular bagel and donuts breakfast faire. 

The 40^th Anniversary committee is working on a few other projects, including an Internet master class from the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria this spring.  We’ll keep you posted as details emerge.

Now is the time to mark your calendars for March 6, 2010.  In addition to being the date of our spring workshop with Jeff Kriske and Randy Delelles, it’s the date of our chapter’s birthday banquet.  The event will be held at the Radisson Riverside (downtown Rochester) and all are invited to attend.  You can find more information about purchasing tickets, including pricing and menu options in this newsletter.

Do you have any great memories you’d like to share about your experiences as a GRAOSA chapter member?  If so, please send them to me or to Sheila Buck so that we can include them in a GRAOSA Archives exhibit that will be hosted at Sibley Music Library next summer.

Membership applications are being accepted now.  Don’t forget, you can skip the lines in September by registering online at www.GRAOSA.org.   You may want to consider becoming a National member since we offer a reduced rate to join both organizations

While you’re online, go ahead and register to attend this year’s AOSA National Conference in Milwaukee.  The opportunities for professional learning are stellar and you’ll learn from wonderful clinicians including local and regional favorites: Debbie Cunningham, Alice Pratt, Jessie Vance (former GRAOSA member), Diane Sabourin, and Deborah Imiolo-Schriver.

I’m happy to serve as GRAOSA President this year.  I hope to meet some new members as well as see old friends at our first gathering.  Here’s to a productive and fun year of making music together.

Respectfully Yours,

Mary

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