Terhune Music Studio

Such an honor to work with these students! We are preparing for our Spring Concert coming up on Wednesday June 5 6:30pm at Sun Prairie East High School Band Room. Solos, duets with Cindy and a quartet. Looking forward to it!

A teacher friend of mine shared this and it is a great suggestion. let's put our efforts HERE for lasting change so these great teachers can remain in a field they are hugely passionate about and the students get the quality public education they deserve.

Teacher appreciation week is next week. I am often asked by friends and family what is a good gift to give to show their children's teachers that they appreciate them. The gift cards and thank you notes are lovely.

However, this year I ask that you write a short email to your school board members and cc/bcc the teachers you appreciate. Have your email include the following:

1. 4.12% cost of living raise is something districts must give in order to retain quality teachers
2. Smaller class sizes are essential for student success. This is especially important in those translation years - Kindergarten, 6th grade (middle school) and 9th grade (high school)
3. Every district in this area needs more allocation for students services and mental health services
4. Special Education must be funded adequately to meet not only student needs but legal requirements.
5. Invest in restorative and instructional practices (people and time) in order to change an education system that has failed so many of our students, especially our Black and Brown students and children with disabilities.
I would guess that 99% of the teachers in your life would feel a great deal of gratitude if you took the 15 minutes to write an email.

Tip: I have learned that emailing school board members individually usually yields better results and personal replies rather than emailing all together
You can find school board members emails on school district websites.

Music Theatre Folks - Maddie hopes to attend a pre-college summer music theatre program this summer (she's in 10th grade now). We are looking for a few people to talk to in the Music Theatre world about pre-college summer programs, maybe even college programs (ah!), etc. It is quite a different world than our instrumental backgrounds and would appreciate learning about different paths people have taken. Maddie's love for music, music theatre and dance grows every day, she can't get enough. We appreciate any connections you could help us make, thank you!

So excited to get back to regular teaching! Also wishing I had caught TMS student, Nick, at thjs local gig. Maybe next time. See y’all very soon!!