This January
What's Happening
Dear Faith Center Families,
After listening to our parents and teachers, there are several themes. There is a desire to increase motivation with our students, to create consistency in the classes, and to create a stronger community.
I have looked at the facilities and room usage. While I do not have a completed plan, I am confident that this proposal is possible for both Randolph and Somerset. I am not optimistic about opening any of our other locations in January. We have room in Randolph and Somerset if you would like to participate.
The current three week rotation will stay the same, with some modifications:
- Rehearsals, where appropriate, will go from 45 minutes to 60 minutes. (Children’s Choir and Concert Band will remain at their current duration.)
- Week 1 will add instrumental rehearsals, choir rehearsals, some dance and drama classes. Exact additions will be made with input from the teachers
- Group Instrumental lessons will stay online. However, students who are struggling with the online group lesson will have the ability to request an in-person group lesson. We will have space to accommodate some group lessons on week 1 and week 3.
- Week 2 will add visual art classes to increase community engagement.
- Mr. Malbrough will continue to teach his classes on line, students will be able to participate in a classroom setting at Faith Center via live projection. This will allow students to take their class with their peers. The class will have a parent monitor.
- Mr. Stevens will continue his regular schedule, he will be available in person for students who want to take advantage of the opportunity. Students unable to join the in person class can continue with the online option for week 2.
- Mr. DeBeus and Mr. Wills classes will continue their current online schedule for week 2. Faith Center computers will be available for students to use during week 2 and week 3.
- January classes will start the second week of January which begins on Monday January 11, 2021. This will allow for a quarantine period for families who are traveling and/or visiting with family. In order to maintain consistency in scheduling we will begin the week of January 11 with week 2 of the rotation.
- The Winter Encore schedule is available here.
Kimberly Jackson and I will be completing the final schedule early next week.
While I am at it, let me share some other information with you.
- Chris Pomante is developing our online presence with online videos and short online courses. You will be hearing more about this as Chris continues to develop our capacity.
- In January, 3 online classes will be starting new sections
- Watercolor Class with Miss Pearl
- Creative Creations with Miss Pearl
- Art 1 with Mr. Stevens
- Russ Wills is working to increase the capacity of the LMS. The plan is to increase our storage capacity by 1000% by January.
- Auditions for the Randolph spring musical will be held on January 19
- We will be having spring concerts, they may be outside.
- Faith Center will be offering Encore classes in partnership with Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association starting in January. You can see the offerings at www.faithcenterarts.org/ocean-
grove
Here is a summary of the three week rotation starting in January.
Week 1
Visual arts
Handbells/ Handchimes
Band rehearsals
Orchestra rehearsals
Choir rehearsals
Guitar rehearsals
Select Dance classes
Select Drama classes
Select instrumental group lessons
Week 2
Dance
Drama
Vocal
Handbells/ Handchimes
Visual arts – Studio Art classes in person, teacher zoomed in. Mr. Stevens in person. Mr. DeBeus and Mr Wills following original three week schedule.
Week 3
Instrumental program
Handbells/ Handchimes
I am anxious to hear your thoughts and looking forward to being back together soon.
Bill
Is your school year going differently than you had planned? As schools across the nation deal with unprecedented conditions, many students are struggling. School in general is more complicated. So, stress levels are rising in every age group. Studies are showing a trend of rising stress for students for students across the board, as professionals wonder how to help young people cope. It’s time to think outside the box and help students deal with stress from the pandemic.
Faith Center for the Arts is changing life for students across the NJ Tri-State area. By offering online, in-person, and hybrid courses, Faith Center is meeting the needs of students looking for fine art opportunities and creative activities. In addition, they are doing this while following the highest health and safety standards. Their signature Encore program kicks off a second session of small group, short-term, in-person classes for students age 5-18. Looking for something else? How about private lessons in everything from voice and guitar to violin and drums. Private lessons are available in-person or virtually to meet families’ individual needs.