CMF Newsletter 

February 2014

 

CMF Welcomes Michigan, Oregon, New Hampshire and Tennessee

 

 

CMF is now offering the First Note music curriculum across the US, with a number of schools adopting or piloting the program.  Peninsula Children's Learning Center in Oregon, Willow Elementary School and Coopersville West Elementary in Michigan,  Bon Lin Elementary and Cordova Elementary School (pictured above) in Tennessee, and Ledge Street Elementary in New Hampshire are among these new additions.

 

 
Many of these schools and districts have felt budget cuts reduce or in some cases even remove music programs from their classrooms entirely as is the case in Lansing, Michigan where all art, music, and gym teachers  were  affected  (see NPR story).  These are sad realities but teachers are optimistic that their passion for teaching our kids will overcome these obstacles.   CMF is happy to be a small part of the solution! 
 
 
Have a Happy Valentines Day!
   
 
;  

Children's Music Foundation, Inc.

608 State Street S., Suite 100
Kirkland, Washington 98033
www.cmfinc.org
425-250-2390

A Teachers Story

 

Here's an excerpt from Tracy Whitley at the Multicultural Family and Child Hope Center in Tacoma WA:

 

Here's a little background of my classroom. I have twenty 3- and 4-year- olds in my classroom. Out of the 20,16 of them are very active  boys. I've been having a hard time finding what really interests them while also helping them regulate their own emotions and behaviors. Your music curriculum came at the right time! We were unable to find that one thing that all of these boys could focus their energy on, First Note has helped us find that thing. Music! We had one boy (pictured below) in particular who has a hard time managing his feelings, especially when he feels he doesn't have

 

 

 

control of a situation. When he feels he is not in control and doesn't like what is going on, he has outbursts that can last as long as an hour if not longer. We explained to him what the job of a conductor was, and asked him, "If we formed a choir, would you like to be the conductor?".   When we practice singing, you can see his face light up.  He needed that one little bit of control to help himself. It's really interesting that the other children have not asked to be the conductor. I believe they see how much happier he is and that this was something he needed. We are so appreciative of having discovered this program!

 

"I am lucky that I get to see the results of First Note come home with my kindergartener; she loves it! " - Seattle Parent

 

Thank you Tom Cleveland
 
Tom Cleveland has completed his term as Board Chair of CMF. Our board and staff wish to thank him for his service. He guided us through a number of challenges and tough decisions we had to make in our early growth stage. Thanks Tom for your leadership and continued support!
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If you would like more information about how you can offer First Note in your school, please email us at info@cmfinc.org or call 425.250.2390.