Stockbridge Valley Educational Foundation

Do you ever listen to John Tesh on the radio?  If you don't have any clue who I'm talking about, John Tesh is a musician who is better known for his radio program, on which he gives advice for living a good life.  While listening the other day, Tesh was talking about how bad for you watching TV is.  He frequently comments on this point, and it got me thinking that maybe he has another motive for sharing this information.  John Tesh hosts a radio program, so he probably doesn't want people to watch TV because it detracts from his listeners, and he probably loses money.  I'm not saying the studies are wrong, but I wonder if he harps on this point to persuade people to turn away from TV and to his radio show.  Just a thought...

Greetings!  As summer is approaching at warp speed (sticking with the star wars lingo), I would like to offer a few ideas for families to embark on this summer:

1. Read! Read! Read! Visit the library. Fryer Library, as well as Oneida Library and Sherrill Library all offer excellent summer programs.  If your child doesn't have a library card it is very easy to obtain one through your local librarian. 
2. Get outside and play.  Enjoy the weather.  Sign  your child up for a local swim program or art class.
3. Limit summer TV time.  Set rules and restrictions.  When I was growing up - TV was only allowed to be on for 2 hours a day in the summer time.  Make it fun and have them keep track of their own times.
4. Help keep your child in a mini-routine.  Even though it is summer -having a routine is very healthy.
5. Remind your child about summer safety rules such as bike helmets, stranger-danger, and computer safety strategies.  Children need constant reminders.

Over & Out

animations:  http://www.bestanimations.com/Nature/Flora/Flora.html

Fun fact for today.  According to Wikipedia, today is Star Wars Day because of the pun "May the fourth be with you".  So get out your copy of the Star Wars series and celebrate.

[Wikipedia via Gizmodo]

Recently, students attended the 2009 Spring All-County Music Festival. This festival is a wonderful musical experience for the best musicians in all of Madison County. Students were auditioned and then selected to participate in one of many musical ensembles. SVCS students were selected to be in the 9-12 Chorus, 7-8 Chorus, 5-6 Band, 6^th Grade Chorus, and 9-12 Band. Mrs. Belanger and Mrs. McCoy were extremely proud of the students for all their hard work preparing for the auditions and then performing in the groups.

During the performance weekend, students practiced Friday night, all day Saturday and then performed in a concert on Saturday afternoon. Families and friends were invited to the concert to experience the musical achievements each ensemble accomplished. Singing or playing in an All-County Festival is the first step in climbing the high school musical ladder. If students are dedicated and talented they could then go on to be selected into the Area All-State groups, then into the All-State, then into the All Eastern, and then into the National ensembles. Last year, Irene Wasnik was selected to perform with the Area All-State 9-12 Chorus. Mrs. Belanger traveled to Oneonta College to hear Irene’s group perform and was blown away by the talent of the group.

The next All-County Festival is in January 2010. Auditions for that festival will be held in October 2009. Mrs. Belanger and Mrs. McCoy are hoping even more students will audition for next year’s ensembles!