I Did Not Send That E-mail!

Apparently, some website called “Tagged” got a hold of all my contacts, over 800, in my Gmail account and sent them all an e-mail stating that I sent pictures. I did not, and have nothing to do with that e-mail. Sorry about the mishap!

Contacting Me

I think it is extremely important to have access to me as a teacher and band director. I get very upset as a parent when I contact a teacher and it takes them days to get back to me, so I understand how important communication between a teacher and parents is. I feel that I am very accessible and take great pride in that. Getting back to someone quickly shows respect and caring towards them. I even give my cell phone out on trips, so most parents in the band have access to my cell phone number, which I don't have a problem with. I would like to go over some ways in which you can contact me quickly and efficiently.

E-mail
I have an iphone and check the e-mail pattersax.com about 10 to 20 times a day. This is quite simply the most efficient and quick way to contact me. I will usually get back to you within a few hours, it may be longer on the weekend but will be within 24 hours, even if I am away on vacation. If you want me to call you on the phone, e-mail me the phone number. If the issue needs personal attention I will call you back. Talking is a much more personal way of communicating if it is an issue of a sensitive nature. If it is simply informational, or a question, an e-mail is the best way to ask.

Texting
Having a daughter in college and two sons in 11th grade and 7th grade, I text all the time. Texting to my cell phone is another way of getting to me if you don’t have e-mail access and want a quick answer or a call to your phone. Band officers, drum majors, and captains text me if they are late or need some quick info. Make sure you tell me who you are when you text me if you don’t have a signature included with the text.

School Phone
The school phone number is a new number this year, a direct line to Mr. Coffey and myself. If you leave me a message on the school phone, it will go directly to my e-mail as an audio file, I will have it within minutes, so this is another way to get in touch with me. The number is 516-801-5152. Once again, let me know how you want me to get back to you.

Cell Phone
Please only call my cell phone if it is an absolute emergency. I have all the parent numbers and student numbers in my cell phone so your name will probably come up if you call me on my cell. Assuming it is an emergency, I will answer, even if I am changing a diaper or reading my little ones a bedtime story at home. Please only reserve this mode of communication if it is an emergency and you need to talk to me immediately.

Snail Mail
Forget it, if there isn’t a check in it, I throw it out! :)

My Own Personal Communication Rules
These are a few of my own rules that I try to use with communication. Once again, the medium is constantly in flux, so we all have to be aware of the new ways of communicating and work within it.

1. I never write an e-mail when I am angry or upset.
2. I have to be ready for anything I write to be put up on a wall or handed out. E-mail is permanent.
3. I make an attempt to be aware of who has direct e-mail to their phone and don’t e-mail them at times I know are “personal times.” I know they will get the e-mail immediately, it will disturb them and that it will take them away from their family. I usually make a point to e-mail people like that during a work day or before dinner time, unless it is very important.
4. I always try to write “how’s it going” or open with something personal if it is an initiating first e-mail to someone. Some people send very business like e-mails which can be misconstrued as cold and harsh.
5. If it is a sensitive issue, I make a phone call. Nothing is more personal than hearing the tone of a voice. With e-mails, sometimes the real compassion and caring gets lost.
6. Be aware of what server you are going through with any e-mail or voicemail. The company you are going through owns and stores any communication you make.

Assistant Drum Major Positions

After much thought, Ms. Miller and I have decided to add two assistant drum majors to the student leadership team. The fact that we are now faced with 4 drum majors, all seniors, graduating after next year brought us to this conclusion. Looking at the shows we are considering after the 2009-2010 season, we will be going forward with two drum majors and two assistant drum majors each year. The assistant drum majors will be chosen from students in grades 9-11 during the 2009-2010 school year. The assistant drum majors will remain in the band and play on their instruments during their assistant drum major season. They will be in training to be drum majors and will move up into the drum major position the following year if all goes well in their learning season. An audition process will start immediately and will culminate at band camp, with the final auditions and decision made during camp. If the chosen people hold captain or leadership positions within the band they will relinquish them when they become assistant drum major. We will fill those vacated positions with the people who were next on the list after the interview process which was completed this year, as long as those people have been attending the Wednesday night rehearsals, a prerequisite for getting and/or keeping any student leadership position.

Letters of intent need to be sent to Mr. Patterson asap and must be recieved by June 1st if you are interested in trying out. A 300 word essay describing why you want to audition for assistant drum major and what you have to offer as the band’s drum major the following year must be part of the letter of intent.

In addition, there is a possibility that one of our student leaders positions may be vacated in the next few weeks. Once again, we will fill that vacated position with the person who was next on the list after the interview process last November, as long as that person has been attending the Wednesday night rehearsals.

CGX final performance at Roselle Park, NJ!

The Roslyn CGX Colorguard performed an amazing show in New Jersey today at the TOB Competition at Roselle Park HS.  Performing an incredible performance from the beginning to the end, the Colorguard had energy, aura, and was the best colorguard we ever had here at Roslyn.  This competes a great debut season for the winterguard, performing among the best colorguards in the region.  Congratulations to all the girls and Ms. McMahon, who directs the colorguard.  Special thanks to Mr. Bennett, who wrote and taught the drill, and Mr. Downey, who helped teach the guard this Winter. 

CGX Ranks 25th out of 36 in their class!!!!

Check this out! Our CGX Winterguard is now ranked 25 out of 36 in the huge TOB conference! Check out their ranking! Hit the link on the roslynband.com website to see the ranking in our region! Also check out the Roslyn Marching Band You Tube site to see their performance! Both links are also available to the left of this post.

Winterguard Rocks in First Competition!!!

I couldn’t believe it! There I was, sitting in the bleachers at Copiague HS, waiting for our CGX colorguard to make their first appearance ever in Winterguard Competition. The audience was all set to go. We had already seen some indoor percussion groups and a few independent and middle school winterguards perform. Then the girls entered, with the most confident look I have ever seen! They set down their flags, got into position and they began their show. Is this a first year Winterguard? No way! They are amazing! Moving through the non-stop drill with precision, the guard did a series of arm moves to the music, and then went to the flags, picking them up as they continued an amazing performance from beginning to end. We were amazed and many in the audience were surprised that this was the first time out in Winter competition for this group. There were a few hiccups, a flag misplaced due to the girls never performing the show in the big gym. No problem, Lauren, having no flag to use, modified her moves to look like a dance routine to the two other flags as they performed their trio in the opening tune. Genius! And when another flag was in the wrong place, Alana saved the day by picking up another flag, since that sequence needed everyone with a flag for the routine to work correctly! Her quick thinking amazed us, and made a more positive situation for the judges to see!

Yes, believe it or not, this was the CGX’s first performance in competition......ever! Unbelievable! They have in one season turned themselves into champions, surpassing any expectation that could ever be placed on a first time guard.

Congratulations to the captains, Jessica Margulis, Lauren Passaro, and Faye Sun. Their hard work and dedication are definitely paying off! Their leadership is incredible.

Congratulations to Ms. McMahon who has, in one season, made an incredible impression on the Colorguard Activity, surely becoming one of the top coloruard directors in the country! Her rapport with the girls, while leading them is unparalleled. Her love for her students is clear to anyone who has worked with her. Ms. McMahon’s style and guidance has totally forged the way for us to have one of the best guards anywhere! Thanks to Mr. Bennett for his incredible drill, instructing the girls, and helping with all those little things which make us incredible. And thanks to Mr. Downey, whose tireless dedication, encouragement, and teaching has helped to bring this guard to this level.

Lauren and Jessica at Macy's Parade

Jessica Margulis and Lauren Passaro, members of the Marching Bulldogs' Colorguard, marched down Broadway twirling Macy's Flags as part of Macy's All-American Marching Band in the 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy's All-American Marching Band is comprised of 230 high school students from every state in the nation. Jessica and Lauren smiled to the crowds, estimated to be approximately 3.5 million, as the Marching Band escorted the guest of honor, Santa Claus to the parade's finale; Macy's Herald Square. NBC broadcasted the parade in its entirety reaching over 50 million viewers. Viewers who tuned in to the NBC broadcast were able to catch a glimpse of Jessica and Lauren and the All-American Marching Band as the parade came to a close with the arrival of Santa Claus.

You can see more pictures of them at the roslynband.com website.

Video of National Telecast

Look at our youtube site and hit the first video in the favorites box, you can see Lauren and Jessica at time markers 4:42 and 4:59.  The parade was watched by over 50 million people on television.