Spring Semester 2021

 Fall semester has ended. It was very successful, in spite of all the obstacles, thanks to the directors and parents for being flexible.  

Online groups - World Percussion and Bitty Beats will continue online, guitar and choir have an online option, as well as in person, band/strings will only meet in person. World Percussion and Bitty Beats will begin on January 22nd and ends on April 16th - 12 weeks of classes, with Good Friday off.

In person groups: Choir, Guitar, and Band/Strings will begin on Friday, February 5th, and ends on Friday, April 30th - 12 weeks of classes, with Good Friday off.  A traditional recital is not planned, but we may look at an online option.  For in person groups, there will be a cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces required and a protocol to follow, so the church is left sanitized at the end of the day. 

In person groups include choir, guitar, and band/strings, and meet at 146 Indian Ave.

Here is the link to the online enrollment form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3D9MRNJyXZDPRRx-Sq2FQ97CEC_3qfJPRHAoq105A68p6Lw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Fees:

Can be paid in person, for in person classes. Online student fees can be mailed to the director.

Band and Strings - $95.00 - payable to Tony Swisher -  1841 W. Ferrel Dr.  Olathe, KS  66061

Guitar - $95.00 - payable to John Gaskin - 2904 Atchison Circle  Lawrence, KS  66047

Choir - $70.00 (no charge for those enrolled in guitar) - also payable to John Gaskin

World Percussion - $80.00 - payable to Emily Bachert - 3119 W. 29th Ter. Lawrence, KS  66047

Bitty Beats - $70.00 - payable to Emily Bachert - 3119 W. 29th Ter.  Lawrence, KS  66047

There is a discounted fee for two or more students, from the same family, enrolled in band, strings, guitar or choir - as long as students have the same director. 

If you have any questions, please contact Martha at hsmom@sbcglobal.net

Stay tuned ..... updated information coming soon

 Fall semester is coming to a close soon. We appreciated all of the families that enrolled this fall. We were certain that we could make it work, and it has gone well, despite some glitches.

Watch this site and/or Encore's facebook page, for spring semester enrollment information. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is beginning to come together

Update - we now have class times and decisions made about in person and online options. The enrollment link is below. Please read info below the link for dates and additional information. Let me know if you have any questions. 

* * * There have been a few inquiries about the wearing of masks. All entering the building will be asked to wear a mask. Students may remove their masks upon entering the room and sitting in their seat. Students will be expected to put their masks back on after class, while leaving the room and building. The group(s) will follow the guidelines for whatever level we are at, during the semester. * * *

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3D9MRNJyXZDPRRx-Sq2FQ97CEC_3qfJPRHAoq105A68p6Lw/formResponse

We will be offering Band, Strings, Choir, Guitar, World Percussion, and Bitty Beats - a preschool music program. Please note that all groups perform secular music, except choir and guitar. Online options are Choir, Guitar, World Percussion, and Guitar. Bands/Strings are in person only. Guitar and Choir have the option of either online or in person. Those interested in online groups can be from anywhere in the country, as long as there is a good internet connection.

Original post:

We are working to finalize plans for the fall semester - our 18th year. No doubt it will be a different year from those past, but we are proceeding with the best plan we can come up with, due to the circumstances.

All the groups are being considered and worked on, however today, we are focusing on one group that has been finalized and ready to take enrollment - Bitty Beats. This is our preschool class for kids 2 1/2 - 6 years old. This class will meet virtually, through Zoom. The director, Miss Emily has experience with teaching groups online and will offer a great option for kids, that won't have to leave their home. This also allows kids from all over the country to join in. If have relatives that would be interested in a 30 minute music class for their preschooler, please let them know about Bitty Beats.
The class is $60. for 10 weeks of classes. A variety of themes, props, and materials are used, to supplement at-home learning.

Classes start on September 18th, and run through November 20th - on Fridays, at 10am. Contact me at hsmom@sbcglobal.net with questions and enrollment information.

Keep up with Encore through this site and Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/Encore-Homeschool-Fine-Arts-172711716123278

Stay tuned to our sites. We will be posting information about band, choir, strings, world percussion, and guitar classes.

Looking toward fall

Covid has certainly had an impact on our group.

The Encore directors are working on putting groups together, based on the interest of returning families. If you have not received a survey, please email hsmom@sbcglobal.net for a link to the survey.

Some families are willing to return, to groups, in person. Others have expressed interest in online options. Once we hear from the majority of our families, and interested new families, decisions can be made.

Thanks for all your support. Stay tuned to this site and our group facebook site, for updates.

New and returning families can submit the survey at the link below.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w_LsixwntO8OlL8zGzI-kyM6KFv8pWS3UcHdjVFI2gA/edit

End of semester announcement

Well, here we are - at the end of March, and still unable to get back to normal. It goes without saying, that we are not going to return this semester, but wanted to reach out anyway. I am sad, for many reasons - this has been hard for the directors and me. We wanted to get back to rehearsals and prepare for a recital.

I sent out a video to the Bitty Beats families, and I hope they will share it with others. It is also posted on our Encore fb page, the Lawrence Learning Link, and my personal fb page. Emily has gone to a few nursing facilities, singing to residents from outside their windows. She is able to teach her private lessons remotely, but much of her business has come to a halt. Three of my five kids are self-employed - it has been tough on many.

Mr. Swisher and I talked this morning, he is working from home, on instruments that he took home when Meyer Music closed. He mentioned that he was running out of paper towels, so my oldest son, who lives a few blocks away, is taking him a few rolls today. He needs them for his work, with all the chemicals he uses. This virus has now reduced our conversation to the differences in various brands of toilet paper. Wow, how times have changed. I am pretty sure that Mr Swisher and I have never had that discussion before. 

Mr. Gaskin and I have conversed over text this week. All seems to be well at his house. Since  we are neighbors, I can see him in his kitchen - it may sound like I stalk him, but I don't.  His sweet daughter, Sarah, has come back home, so I know he is enjoying having her around. I checked on Buttons, and all is well with him. HIs wife is an essential employee, at a bank, which only allow drive through transactions. Keep all those that are deemed "essential" - in your thoughts and prayers.

I am working remotely from home, as is my husband. He teaches middle school social studies, online - so he is plenty busy. My work is certainly easier when face-to-face, but it is amazing how we all adapt, when called to. Those who know me well, know that I lost one of my dogs this week - on my birthday, no less. It seemed compounded by the state we are all in. I had to say my goodbyes at the door, only pets and personnel allowed inside. It has been hard, but I decided to get busy checking on people, seeing what they might need, and that has lifted my spirits. Once I can get some elastic, I plan on making masks for medical and essential workers.

I miss you all. I miss hearing the music, watching you all visiting and enjoying each other's company. I miss helping a sewing student finish a project that she was very excited about. I miss being and feeling normal. I appreciate you all. If you would like, shoot me a message about how and what you are doing. 

You all take care and stay safe.

Martha

Change in plans - please read

Dear Encore Families,

I spent today talking with other TEACH class leaders, to see how they are planning classes, during this virus situation. Everyone I talked with, plans to continue to meet, and I was prepared to do the same. However, there is so much worry among some families, that it seems easier to take the remainder of March off. 

If all goes well, we will meet in April, which may include Good Friday - which we typically take off. One thing everyone can agree on, this has not been a typical semester, but as homeschooling families, we adapt well.

Please watch our blog/site and facebook for information about getting back to rehearsing. If we are fortunate to have a recital, it will be on Tuesday, April 28th.

To repeat - no Encore for the rest of the month, stay turned for news about resuming in April.

Thanks everyone!

Martha

Encore meets during spring break

Just a reminder that Encore meets this Friday, March 13th, even though Lawrence Schools are on spring break.

We will take Good Friday off, April 10th. Then resume to finish off the semester.

The directors and I are working on a Spring Recital day and time.  Once it is confirmed with Christ Community Church - I will announce the date. It is looking like the last week of April.

Some families still owe fees for this semester. You can pay the director or see me between 9:45 and 11:30 on Fridays.

NO Choir or Guitar on January 31st

Mr Gaskin is ill and will not be teaching Choir or Guitar classes tomorrow. He will see everyone next Friday.

All other groups will meet tomorrow.

We DO meet today - January 24th

We were spared from getting a lot of snow, here in Lawrence. We will meet today, but as always, the decision to get out, is yours.

We are looking forward to getting the semester started.

Be safe!

Weather cancellation - for January 17th

Encore WILL NOT meet tomorrow - Friday, January 17th. 

I didn't want to wait for the school district to cancel classes - if it is beautiful tomorrow and we avoided bad weather - then we shall all enjoy it! Otherwise, stay safe, warm, and healthy.

See you all next week.

Martha

Second Semester Announcements

A few reminders for January 17th.

Please watch this group blog/website and/or Encore on facebook, for winter cancellations. I will post cancellations on facebook and this site. IF the Lawrence School District cancels school, we will also be cancelling.  Right now, there is a chance of freezing rain early on Friday morning.  

If you have recently referred a family to Encore, I may not have them on the email list yet - so please pass this email along. We can enroll new students in several of the groups, for second semester.

Fees will be collected in the back of the main building.  

Thanks,

Martha