Hello, Everyone! Welcome to Mrs. Kline’s first ever Podcast! I’m hoping that as I embark on this podcasting-journey this year, these episodes will become a place for you to find additional help with assignments, instrument care, encouraging advice, great resources, and fun music discoveries. As this is a new journey for me, I thought it might be helpful for me to address what might also be a new journey for you. I’m not only using this first episode to welcome all of you to a new school year, but I’m also specifically welcoming our 9th graders to the high school. I’m very lucky that I am able to help see you through some of your most important school years and transitions, and I’d like to be here for you as a source of constant support. Some of these tips might be new to you as you journey through brand new school hallways, or they might be helpful as a review. Some suggestions might be band-specific and others will be addressing general school topics. So, here we go … Episode 1: Welcome to a new school year! Here are Mrs. Kline’s Top Tips for High School Life Success!
1. Check your email. Remember me asking you in MS if you’ve checked your email? That was a small nudge to get you ready for the HS. HS teachers, especially me, are very active with email messages. If you don’t check your hak12 account daily, you’ll be missing important dates, class messages, assignments, event directions, etc. I am unfortunately unable to see you in person every day, so the only way I have to communicate with you is through email. CHECK YOUR MESSAGES. Set reminders on your phone, download the google app on your phone and connect it to your hak12 account, etc.
2. COMMUNICATE. Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers questions in class. Check and answer those emails. Notify me when you have a scheduling conflict. Your teachers aren’t mind-readers. If we don’t hear anything from you, we aren’t sure what to expect and your grade might take the fall for lack of communication. If you have a conflict with your lesson, just let me know and we’ll work it out together! That’s what communication is for! Don’t be afraid to speak up and ADVOCATE for yourself!
3. Google Classroom is no more. SCHOOLOGY will be your new best friend. With a new building comes a new learning platform. Make sure you familiarize yourself with Schoology and set notifications to be sent to your email for new assignments. That way, you can be on top of ALL of your classes.
4. For Band -- Every OTHER day. The Middle School unfortunately does not treat band as a class. Our schedule is sporadic and is cut on every 2-hour delay. At the HS, I see you EVERY cycle day 1, 3, and 5 during the flex period during OUR CLASS PERIOD! Plan ahead. If you know you need help from a teacher or you know you need to make up a test, COMMUNICATE, and tell myself and your classroom teacher. We’ll make sure to plan your help / makeup on a day when you DO NOT have band, because yes, BAND IS A CLASS AT THE HS! You’ll need your instrument every other day!
5. Always LOOK AHEAD. Most of the time, your teachers will give you your assignments and important dates ahead of time. For example, our marching band calendar was released last May! That gives you 3 months notice. Marking your school-issued-agenda or putting those dates in your phone will help you avoid the … “Mrs. Kline, I can’t go to so-and-so, because I have this …. “ excuse one day prior to an event. BE PROACTIVE AND LOOK AHEAD to avoid conflicts. This will help you, this will help me, and this will help your grades tremendously!
6. HS Band Logistics Very similar to MS. We meet for lessons in small groups once per cycle. I will hand out / email to you monthly calendars like you are used to seeing. Again, band meets every day 1, 3, and 5 during the flex period. We have playing tests once per quarter. Concerts will occur in the fall and in the spring. NEW this year .. we have been asked to perform for graduation! Hope that gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions, as always, feel free to email me anytime. Marching Band, I’ll look forward to seeing you on August 16th and Concert Band, I’ll see you with the start of school! BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT on DAY 1!Thanks for listening and enjoy the remainder of your summer!