FACE is is seeking nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Teacher Awards! Please review the awards descriptions and submit the nomination form by Friday, May 3rd.
It only takes a quick minute to write some kind words about the people who inspire you!
Winners will be announced at their spring concert (or other arrangements made as necessary).
Questions? Please contact Alexandra Blaine (touzinak@gmail.com)
FACE Solo Competition
Rules
This competition is open to any band or strings student currently enrolled in a band or strings program in FCPS.
Band or strings teachers of participants must be members of the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE). Teachers who aren't currently members can fill out this Membership Application and must pay the $20 membership fee (directions in the application).
Submissions must be for instruments that participants play in an FCPS ensemble.
Participants must choose approved repertoire from the VBODA manual.
The grade of the repertoire will determine the category of competition. Our three categories are as follows: Junior Artist (Grade 1-2), Emerging Artist (Grade 3-4), Master Artist (Grade 5-6).
Students do not need a piano accompanist for the virtual preliminary round.
Finalists in the Emerging Artist and Master Artist category (if repertoire has it) will need an accompanist for the finals round on May 20.
Timeline
Virtual submissions will be accepted up through May 3.
Finalists will be announced on May 10.
There will be three finalists from each category.
The finals round will take place on Monday, May 20 from 5-9pm at Annandale High School. A specific time will be emailed closer to the event.
How to Submit
Virtual submissions must have video and audio. Videos should show participant's face and instrument. There are three parts of the submission process.
Google Form: https://forms.gle/jRWP2bSEPAwVvB1w8
The Video Submission*
$25 Participation Fee ($25.50 if using Venmo)**
*Video submissions should be uploaded as an unlisted video to youtube. The link should be shared with Diana Chou (facesolocomp@gmail.com).
**The $25 participation fee can be submitted through Venmo @FACEva ($25.50 to include Venmo fee) or mailed to:
Kate Bongard 6402 Bardu Ct Springfield, VA 22152
Happy Hour - August 23rd
Open to all FACE members!
Dogwood Tavern - Falls Church
Professional Development - October 9th at Holmes Middle School
Orchestra - Reading Session and Bass Refresh Class
Band - Reading Session and Oboe/Basson Refresh Class
Choir - Reading Session and Guitar Class
Future Music Educators Night - November 3rd at Annandale High School
Open to all FCPS students 7th grade and up
The proposed school budget for 2024 was released on January 12, by Superintendent Reid. This budget looks spectacular for our community. It includes a 4% market rate raise and a full step increase for educators. There do not appear to be any cuts.
While this looks very positive, please remember it is the beginning of a very long process. The good news is that the Board of Supervisors and the School Board have held joint meetings concerning the budget.
What can you do in the coming months? Pay attention to announcements from unions concerning budget issues. Support your local school board members and your county supervisor.
Many community members are not happy with current tax rates so stay positive when talking to parents.
It has been quite a year for FACE. We have joined forces with three organizations to become something bigger and better! The Fairfax County Band Directors Association, Fairfax Orchestra Directors Association, and Fairfax County Choral Teachers Association are now part of FACE. We are excited to be able to advocate and provide more services for our members!
If you are an FCPS band, orchestra, or choir teacher interested in becoming a member of FACE, complete the membership form below. We would love you have you as a member!
From the Fairfax County Council PTA:
Tell us what YOU think about our public schools, class sizes, technology, curriculum, advanced academics, and special education! We have created an online survey in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, and Urdu) to solicit the opinions of parents, students, and FCPS employees. All responses are anonymous.
Your priorities are our priorities. Your responses will guide our engagement with FCPS, the School Board, Board of Supervisors, and the State of Virginia. Your local PTA will receive school-specific data to guide their planning and activities. In addition, we will share the survey results with FACE and other partner organizations, so we can work together to advance our common agenda to provide world-class schools for our kids, families, and communities.
Take the survey today at bit.ly/EdSurvey2018 (or https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WHZ7NNT)
Questions? Contact Matt Dunne, vp.advocacy@fccpta.org
This week the 4th grade strings program has been targeted as a potential cut from Fairfax County Public Schools due to a $61 million gap in funding from the Board of Supervisors (BOS). The next step is to lobby the BOS for an increase to the real estate tax rate to increase funding for the schools. Please write to the BOS asking for an increase to the tax rate to fully fund our schools. They vote on a maximum tax rate change on Feb. 28, 2017.
Great article on the value of arts in education.
http://www.educationdive.com/news/nycs-only-k-12-school-with-music-as-core-subject-sees-high-outcomes/433960/
FCPS is facing an $84 million budget gap. The budget task force published their list of potential cuts, including 4th grade strings. Please help keep music alive for our youngest FCPS musicians. Visit our "Get Involved" page for more information and action items.
Here is the link to the task force possible cutlist:
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/AHS5PB112CEC/$file/Potential%20Reduction%20and%20Fee%20List%20with%20Input.pdf
"Difficult Budget Forecasts for County and Public Schools; What Happens Next"
Check out the full information here including the Fairfax County budget timeline and an overview of where things stand.
Watch the WJLA Coverage of the rally here.
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