We had a wonderful visit yesterday with special treats from Sister Shelby and her daughter Courtney who is going to be a teacher.  Thanks you so much, we really enjoyed the treats, talking with you about our plans for the summer and learning a new song!

Ms. Kowalski’s 4th Grade class

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Lyrics

The lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” are particularly poignant and meaningful during times of national mourning and pride. Be sure you and your children know the words to this anthem that has brought courage and hope to so many.

Lyrics, by Francis Scott Key:

First Verse 
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, 
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming? 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, 
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming? 
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air 
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there. 
Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Second Verse 
On the shore dimly seen, thro’ the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, 
As it fitfully blows half conceals, half discloses? 
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, 
In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream; 
’Tis the Star-Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Third Verse
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Fourth Verse
Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand 
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! 
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land 
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust” 
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A special congratulations goes out to all 8th grade Performing Arts students for a very well run, very well performed Children’s Musical Extravaganza!  I have heard so many encouraging and positive comments about your efforts and I know the children enjoyed it!  I feel very proud of you and your hard work…you reached a point of total independence from your teacher!  That is the goal of any teacher so I would like to thank you all for reaching your goal and helping me reach mine too!  There was even talk that we should take our show “On the Road” and play in a bigger venue.   Wonderful work!

New Date!!  Thursday January 21, 2010.  It is time once again for our annual combined (Gr. 8-12) Instrumental Music concert at Fordson High School and it promises to be a fun time for all!  Students will get the opportunity to perform next to other Middle School and High School musicians as well as sit under the baton of Mr. Scott Guthre, Instrumental Music teacher, Fordson High School.   Details as follows:

Concert Uniform

White Button down shirt

Black Pants or Skirt (no short skirts please)

Black socks

Black or dressy shoes

All must arrive: 5 p.m. go to Band Room

String Rehearsal with Mr. Guthre: 5:00 p.m.

Band Rehearsal with Mr. Guthre: 5:30 p.m.

Auditorium doors open: 5:50 p.m.

Concert begins: 6 p.m.

Concert ends: 7 p.m.

After glow: 7 p.m.

This is a graded Performance assignment for all 8th grade students.  There will be a few 7th graders selected to participate.