Dear Community Members,
The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the largest touring children’s theatre in the US, is coming to elementary school from May 3rd to May 7th. The tour team will arrive with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play (The Secret Garden), except the cast! That is where our talented, young students come in! MCT is looking for approximately 60 students (Kindergarten through Grade 5) who are interested in being a part of this special event. Two MCT actors, Erin Norlie and Alex Kowalchick, will hold auditions on Tuesday, May 3rd. Auditions will last about 2 hours, so children will have to miss class time in order to audition.
The Secret Garden, an original Missoula Children’s Theatre rendition, is a joyful retelling of a story of hope and celebration and all good things in life. Mistress Mary Quite Contrary embarks on a journey from India to her uncle’s home in England. Along the way she makes friends with the hilarious Canadian Geese and the colorful Giant Bugs that Rock! In time she learns to appreciate everything around her, including the Moor Animals and the helpful Fireflies. Add to that a good healthy dose of caring, and what happens? Colin, Martha, Archibald - well the whole household - begin to enjoy the return of health and happiness in a garden carefully tended…until it blossoms once more.
No theater experience is required and no preparation is needed prior to MCTs arrival. Alex and Erin will guide the children through the audition process with easy to follow instructions on basic movement, lines, and song. At the end of the audition, the cast will be announced, and each cast member will receive a rehearsal schedule for the week. Rehearsals will take place during class time. There will be one public performance presented on Saturday, May 7 at 1 pm.
All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairy tales with a twist. Is your child interested in auditioning? If so, please complete the required information on this form by April 15.
It is important to know that not all of the children auditioning will receive a part if the number of students auditioning exceeds the maximum number of students per grade band (see information below). Casting the show will be at the sole discretion of MCT personnel and roles will be announced at the end of the audition. Alex and Erin will make sure that no one is singled out while doing their best to ensure that everyone leaves with a positive feeling.
Important Information:
• Auditions will take place during class time on Tuesday, May 3. Students can expect to be away from class for approximately 2 hours.
• The maximum cast size is 50-60; not all children who audition will land a part
• Although not all cast members are needed at every rehearsal session, if selected, they must be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role.
• Length of each rehearsal depends on the child’s role
• Students are required to perform in the show on Saturday, May 7
• The show is approximately 60-70 minutes in length – there is no intermission
• Students are required to be at the school from 9 am to 3 pm on May 7.
Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project. MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.
Please note the following grade-level breakdowns:
Grade Level Maximum Number of Students
Kindergarten through Grade 2 16
Grades 3 and 4 29
Grade 5 15
Assistant Directors (Grade 5 students) 4
Student-Led Conferences: April 21st and April 22nd
Our second and final round of student-led conferences will be held on Thursday, April 21st from 3:45 to 6:00 and all day on Friday, April 22nd. Your attendance is required on either one of these dates.
You can now sign up for a conference. To do so, please visit this website.
Parents will be able to sign up till the evening before the conference day.
We have created a video that will guide you through the sign-up procedures. You can access the video here.
Conference Format: What can you expect? Please click here.
World Language Selection Process
All students will learn a World Language starting from Grade 3. The languages we offer are French and Spanish. Native Spanish and French speakers will be automatically assigned to the other language because we do not offer a native speaker’s option. When a language fills to capacity, students will automatically be assigned to the open language, even if it was not their first choice. Students will be allowed to change languages only at the start of the following school year.
Parents of current Grade 2 students
Please make a World Language choice for your child for the next school year (in Grade 3) by accessing this form.
Parents of current Grade 3 & 4 students
Your child will continue in the same language class as this year (French/Spanish).
Please fill this form out ONLY if your child wishes to change languages. Please note that students may not select their native (home) language, as we do not offer a native speaker program.
Click here to access the link:
The selection links will close at 5 pm on Friday, April 22.
Class Placement Procedure
We will soon begin the process of creating class placements for the upcoming school year. Our aim is always to create the optimal learning community for each student. In doing so, we consider the following factors in creating balanced groups: gender, nationality, English language proficiency, academic achievement, social skills, special needs, and a blend of returning and new students.
If you have specific information regarding your child’s placement that needs to be considered as part of the process, I invite you to email Ms. Meg for preschool to Grade 2 placements and Mr. Wilson for grades 3 to 5 placements. Please send this information by April 22nd. To help us help you, in your email please:
1. List any insights you may have about your child’s learning style.
2. Describe the type of learning environment in which your child may experience the most success.
3. Describe any thoughts you have about your child’s school experience.
4. Add any other important information that you wish to share.
Examples of comments that everyone agrees upon are: “We want a warm, nurturing, caring classroom environment for our child,” or “We want our child to be challenged.” We take these comments as a given; our teachers provide a nurturing, challenging and safe environment for every student. Sorry, but given the complexities of placing students, we cannot take requests for friends to be placed together.
Since we will continue to enrol children up to the first day of school, class lists will only be ready for distribution the afternoon of Monday, August 3rd. Your child’s class placement will be sent to you by email.
Coffee with the ES Administration
Please join us on Tuesday, April 12 at 8:45 in the BBT for our second last parent coffee of this school year. Ms. Meg will provide an in-depth look at what mindfulness is and is not, combined with a look at Rock and Water and the balancing of both programs at AISC to help children develop their emotional intelligence – EQ.
The Rock and Water Program aims to apply a physical/social approach to assist boys and girls in their development by increasing their self-realization, self-confidence, self-respect, boundary awareness, self-awareness and intuition. A specific goal for the course is teaching boys and girls to deal with power, strength and powerlessness.
Grade 2 Service Learning Craft Bazaar
Please join the grade 2 as they host a craft bazaar next Wednesday in the Main Courtyard from 1:30 to 3:00. What can you find at the bazaar?
Please join the grade 2 as they host a craft bazaar next
Wednesday in the Main Courtyard from 1:30 to 3:00. What can you find at the bazaar? Carry bags, cards, gift bags, and earrings.
Have a great weekend,
Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal