Arctic Animal Antics

"Cool it, friends, and chill."  Our Winter Musical was a humorous and fictional celebration of arctic animals out in the snow.  It was a collaboration between the Arts Teachers, Mr. Sigler (band/music,) Mrs. Nelson (dance,) Mrs. Gordon (art,) and Mrs. Morris (orchestra,) along with the first and second grade students.  Approximately 150 students took the stage for an evening of fun singing and dancing.  Students playfully discussed polar bears, penguins, arctic terns, and seals who were ready for their annual Snow Ball. 

The show opened with all the animals singing "Out in the Cold."  Each song featured first grade singers doing hand dances and creative movement with each second grade class dressed as animals taking center stage for a dance during the songs.  When out in the cold, their favorite word was freeze.  Frosting and icing were their favorite treats. The second song featured the "Roly, Poly, Polar Bears" who were dancing and prancing to and fro. 

Next, the birds, (arctic terns,) playfully sang "One Good Tern Deserves Another."  They flapped their feathers.  They turned their toes and struck a pose. 

After that, penguins, dressed to the nines, sang and danced about "The Penguin Ball."  They splashed and waddled at their bash. 

Finally, the seals 'sealed the deal.'  They flipped and flopped, barked and squealed. 

It was a playful time performing to a winter theme. Student performers were very excited.  They performed during the day for the student body and in the evening for parents.  They 'hoped their songs and dances gave everyone a thrill,' but either way, they reminded everyone "just cool it, friends and chill."

Check out photos from the performance at https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jv26RmnwYqD4mzEx7

A+ P.D.

On our early release day on December 11, teachers participated in a hands-on, engaging professional development with fellows from North Carolina A+ Schools.  North Carolina A+ Schools uphold 8 Essentials Arts, Curriculum, Multiple Learning Pathways, Experiential Learning, Enriched Assessment, Collaboration, Infrastructure and Climate.  Schools in the A+ network, beginning in 1995, teach the state’s mandated curriculum in a collaborative, multi-disciplined way, with the arts woven into every aspect of a child’s learning experience. Professional development helps support teachers in continuing to uphold this philosophy and provides resources as well as lesson ideas for teachers to integrate in every classroom across grade levels and subject areas.  To read more about A+ Schools, visit their website:  
https://www.ncarts.org/aplus-schools

During our professional development, teachers sang, danced, mimed, drew, created, research and collaborated on ideas and activities related to math and English-Language Arts.  They explored ideas on how to use sound in reading, even incorporating instruments.  They utilized the concept of collage as a potential way for students to show learning.  The professional development experience also allowed teachers in small groups to review the 8 Essentials of A+ Schools and explain or illustrate each essential through a form of art.  It was an exciting time of learning and growing for our staff and presented opportunities for team building and making connection.

View photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcWmN8UcHgH29sMf8

Our New Assistant Principal

We are pleased to welcome our new assistant principal, Mrs. Ana Ortiz, to our school.  Mrs. Ortiz comes to us from the Title 1 Department where she served as the Bilingual Community Coordinator and worked as an ESL Parent Engagement Specialist.  

Mrs. Ortiz has 14 years experience working in education.  She is originally from Puerto Rico and attended Inter-American University in Puerto Rico.  Mrs. Ortiz has a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.  She also attended Harvard for the Public Education Leadership Project.  She has been recognized for her work as the Employee of the Year for the WSFCS Central Office Division and as a speaker for national conferences.  

Mrs. Ortiz is married and has one teenage daughter.  Most of her other family still lives in Puerto Rico where they farm and grow coffee and vegetables as well as raise several farm animals.  Mrs. Ortiz also has a dog, spends her free time reading and spending time with her family, and travels especially to learn about different cultures.  She enjoys singing and karaoke, music and playing some basic piano.  Mrs. Ortiz also enjoys cooking, particularly traditional Puerto Rican food.

Mrs. Ortiz's official first day was Monday, December 2.  She spent the day learning procedures, becoming familiar with software and accounts as well as visiting classrooms to meet students and teachers.  Mrs. Ortiz said she is excited to be a part of our school family and is especially excited to be part of such a diverse school with over 20 countries represented among our students and teachers. 

She is "looking forward to working together and diligently with the faculty and staff to carry out the vision and mission of Diggs-Latham Elementary School."  She is "committed to working with teachers, parents, and the community stakeholders to ensure our children reach their full potential."Our school has a special place in her heart as it was one of the first schools where she had the opportunity to work in the Adult ESL class when she started working in our district.  She is committed to doing what is best for children.

Faculty, students and staff welcomed Mrs. Ortiz by decorating her door and wall with streamers and posters and surprising her with a basket full of treats, gifts and black and orange swag to represent our tiger pride.

 Welcome to Tigerland, Mrs. Ortiz!  We look forward to working with you.

North Carolina Music Association Conference

The North Carolina Music Educators Association holds their state conference annually in the fall in  downtown Winston-Salem for 3 ½ days.  The conference offers sessions, clinics and concerts scheduled held in the Benton Convention Center, the Embassy Suites, the Marriott and Stevens Center. 

More than 1,500 people attend; these music educators teach students in K-12 as well as at the college/university level. Attendees also include pre-service teachers and students who won auditions for a place in of the NCMEA Honors Ensembles. 

The NCMEA Conference also offers a music industry trade show with more than 100 vendors on the state and national level as well as representatives from many North Carolina college and university music departments.

Our orchestra teacher, Mrs. Lisa Morris, and our band and music teacher, Mr. Rick Sigler, were in attendance to the conference.  

Mrs. Morris enjoyed her time at the conference and learned several new techniques to use in her classes.  She participated in a drumming circle class as well as learned new techniques to integrate literacy in music.  She especially is excited about learning new techniques to use the musical solfege system, which is the application of the sol-fa syllables to a musical scale or melody and a singing exercise especially using sol-fa syllables to practice sight-reading.

Mr. Sigler is a member of the Elementary Board division of the NCMEA Board as a committee member at large.  He was instrumental in choosing clinicians and organizing equipment for workshops for the conference.  During the conference, he helped support clinicians and led a presentation that introduced new technology that will help prepare elementary school students for middle school band.  Mr. Sigler was also able to participate in a ukelele jam session and a bring-your-own-instrument jam session.  While at the conference, Mr. Sigler participated in workshops on multicultural music, music and technology, and cross-curricular integration.  He especially focused on improving his skills in singing instruction. 

For more information about the North Carolina Music Educators' Association or the NCMEA Conference, please visit their website https://www.ncmea.net/ and the conference page https://www.ncmea.net/ncmea-conference/overview/.