A superb assembly

Every year our school has an end of the year assembly called the REACH assembly. I do not know what REACH stands for, or where the name originated, but it is what we call the assembly. Basically it is a showcase of EVERYTHING that has happened during the year. The following groups usually perform:

• Band
• Orchestra
• Choir
• Dance team
• Forensics (no- not the crime solvers, the speech team)
• Teachers (we do a goofy skit so all of the kids can laugh at us)

In addition to the performances, also slide shows of the following are put together:

• 3.5 & 4.0 GPA's
• those with perfect attendance for the different quarters
• pictures from the school year with the different spirit days and different events
• Athletics

Usually there are a few different awards presented at the REACH assembly. This year the single student in the entire school who has perfect attendance for the entire year was honored, along with the 7th grade teachers for their outstanding job at the Challenger Space Center, athletes of the year, and a drawing was held for iPod nanos for each grade level for those who had perfect attendance during various quarters during the school year (for each quarter they had perfect attendance they got one entry into the drawing).

For the past two years I also put together a video for the REACH assembly, but this year I was fresh out of ideas to make a funny video, so it didn't happen. :(

Since I didn't have a video to show at the REACH assembly I decided to do something a little different with a few other teachers from Russell- I played with the band! It has been almost 6 years since I actively played my clarinet. I had a spell after Christmas break where I practiced once a week, but then I had to prepare to move. Anyways, the night before the assembly I took the music home to look at it for the first time. I practiced each piece several times before I needed to stop so my kids could go to sleep. I didn't even take one of the pieces home that was played the next day, but I recognized it because I played it in high school! I played the piece in high school and yet here the middle school band was playing it!

The performance went great- but not because of my playing! I'd say probably 2/3 of the notes and music I played correctly. The other 1/3 I either just looked in amazement as they played through the notes or I was the one clarinet who was off while the others played correctly.

In addition to playing in the band, I wore an Afro wig I bought for our LEGO League tournament this past fall. During the teacher skit (they danced the macarena) I went around and juggled. I must admit it was NOT my best performance- I kept on dropping and couldn't get any of my tricks to work right!

ANYWAYS- the point of this post isn't about what I did goofy during the assembly- it is about how all of the performances of the various groups and all of the slide shows helped to remind me why I teach. I teach to help my students have experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I also teach because they touch my life as well. I learn from them and treasure everyday I have the opportunity to be in the classroom.

Thanks students, for everything.