Homecoming

This weekend was Homecoming here in Homer, and it was rather interesting. We had the pep band at the football game yesterday (we beat Valdez 78-0), and I got a lot of compliments on it. I really enjoy knowing that it's appreciated just having them there, and I also tell people that they should tell the kids. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards, I chaperoned the Homecoming Dance. Now that was an interesting night. I thought that the students behaved well, and I was impressed.

Classes have been going well overall, just keeping me very busy. Tomorrow I have to go to the one hour photo shop and get passport pictures, and then get that taken care of. I've been invited to go on the "Germany trip" with the Choir - Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. It's impressive, but I don't have a passport and the deadline is November 1st to have a copy of it, so I have to get a move on. I'm sure it will be fine though.

The 7th Grade band played through their first full piece without stopping on Friday, which was really exciting. The 8th graders have played through two of theirs. Their concert is October 26th, and the high school concert is October 27th. Five weeks from tomorrow (and Tuesday), but we're in pretty good shape. All the things are settled now (who's doing band and choir, and all that sort of stuff) so we can get moving on that, and just focus on the music. I'm excited. The high school bands are doing well as well. I've handed out a decently hard concert, but I have faith that they will be able to do it, and I want them to know that they are able to do it as well. It should be a really good concert.

I have also joined the community band and the community choir. They're both fun, because I just get to show up and perform, I don't have to worry about teaching. I also get to see other people in action as they work and rehearse, which is always fun to see. I'm not entirely sure what I'm playing with regards to community band yet (last week it was saxophone) but if I can get some of my other students to come and play, then it will be fine and I can play something else. But it will all get figured out - we have a while before that concert.

I'm also working with the DDF team - Drama, Debate, and Forensics, particularly with the Drama aspect. We have our first practice on Monday, and I'm really excited for that to get going. I've got a few ideas to really push the kids and keep them working hard within the different theatre competitions. Once I have a few more details, I'll work to get something else updated, but if you're interested you can go to http://www.asaa.org and look at DDF. It goes through all the different competitions and what's expected. I'm just excited to be involved with theatre again (and they also asked me to do a spring play, which should be a lot of fun).

Well, my laundry is done and it's time to get ready for bed. I didn't spend much time at the school this weekend, but it's all right. I needed to get away for a bit, and I'll be plenty ready for classes tomorrow. I can spend a bit of time at the school after I'm done tomorrow.