Family Activities for the Holidays

Tis the Season Are you looking for some local holiday fun?  Here's a list to get you started: Downtown Holiday Open House is set for November 20-21 on Broad Street. Start your holiday shopping with local merchants on Friday and bring the kids on Saturday for a candy cane hunt at the Town Green at 1 pm.  There will also be free trolley rides with Mr & Mrs. Claus from 11 am - 3 pm. The Nutcracker returns to the Rome City Auditorium on November 20-21 with performances at 7:30 pm each evening and a 2 pm matinee on Saturday afternoon.  A special Tea Party will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 12:30-1:15, before the matinee performance. Young children will have a hot chocolate and sugar cookie tea party while given the opportunity to meet some of the lead characters in the show. It will include a reading of "The Nutcracker" book as well as a meet-and-greet, and photo-ops. It will be a great way for children to really connect with the show and with the dancers that they so admire on stage. Limited tickets for the Tea are $5 per child, and children must be accompanied by an adult  to ensure proper supervision. Tea Party tickets are available at Rome Civic Ballet (info@romecivicballet.com).  The ticket does not include the performance, so performance tickets will need to be purchased at here, with limited available at the door. Rome Christmas Parade is Tuesday December 1 at 630 pm on Broad Street.  Bands, floats, and Santa! White Christmas is coming to the Rome Little Theatre at the Historic Desoto in December.  This is a fabulous musical with great singing and dancing! Saturday, December 5, kids under 13 get in for $5 with a paying adult!  Also, photos taken with Santa at performances on December 5 and 6. Candles and Carols at Oak Hill on December 4 and 5. What else?  Check out Venue Dog for all Rome events! Eventually the holidays end and it will be winter. Don't get the winter blues and be stuck inside, enroll in Kindermusik for the spring semester. Kindermusik makes a great Christmas gift, because it last for 15 weeks!

Kindermusik - Be Prepared!

Kindermusik classes begin on August 17 at Berry College!

Getting Here:

• Directions
• The college students return on August 24.  This means more cars in the parking lot, more students driving to class.  BE CAREFUL in the parking lot and crossing the street.  The new welcome center is now open and the gate is operational. For details on the gate and how it affects coming onto campus, click here.

The first few weeks are a whirlwind of activity. New teachers, new friends, and new music. Sometimes it takes several weeks for children to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. What can you d

• Be on time for class.  I realize parking can be an issue. After 5 pm you can park in any lot!
• Leave toys and food at home or in the car.
• Be patient and encouraging. 
• Think, say: how many ways can we....play the sticks, move high, move low, wave our hand, etc...  Your suggestion, then they get an idea of their own, this is called scaffolding!
• Have fun in class, and your child will follow your lead.
• Some children are observers.  The class is where they soak it in, and then later it comes pouring out!
• Unless you are expecting an important call, turn your phone off when you come to class.
• Focus on your child during class, and save conversation with grown-ups for later.
• Play the music at home and in the car.  
• Incorporate activities from class into your daily routine. Your family activity book or card has lots of ways to do this.

Remember all children are different, and your child may not participate the same as others. Your child may wander or just observe, but they are absorbing the atmosphere and are learning.
You may need to stand up with your child, while others are sitting. You may need to find a new way to rock or move. Find a way to participate with your child.

For those with older children (Imagine That or Young Child), you may notice that they respond differently when you come for sharing time. This is part of being an independent learner. Try not to judge your child. Do correct disruptive behavior that is inappropriate such as loud talking, angry outbursts or struggling with a sibling who enters. Once class is over, tell the child what you enjoyed about being in class with them. Put the accent on the positive that you want to see repeated.

If you miss a class you are welcome to make it up on another day/time.  Unfortunately some classes don't have that option...especially the evening classes.  It would be helpful if you could email about making up a class, just so we know you are coming.  It is not imperative, but encouraged.  Here is the class schedule for Fall 2015:

Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)

Tuesday 10:15 a.m. 

Wednesday 9:15 a.m 
Thursday 9:30 a.m.
Thursday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)

Monday 5:45 p.m. 

Tuesday 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10:15 a.m. 

Thursday 10:15 a.m. 

Thursday 6:30 p.m. 

Friday 9:30 a.m. 

Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)

Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
Friday 10:15 a.m.

Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)

Year One (red folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m.  Thursday 3:45 pm

Year  Two (blue folder) Thursday 4:45 p.m.

Beyond Kindermusik
Beyond 2 - 3:45 - 4:45 pm
Beyond 1 - 4:15 - 5:15 pm.

REPETITION IS GOOD:

 REMINDERS ABOUT BEING AT BERRY!

1. Allow plenty of time to find a parking place and get to class. Once you arrive on campus, it will take you at least 5 minutes to get from the parking lot to the classroom.
2. The elevator is a great asset.  Please help us keep the alarm from ringing or the help button from being pushed. Buttons are inviting to children, and they are low...but keep them from calling security! Let them push the "floor" buttons, but stay away from the red and yellow ones!
3. Please use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building. First floor where you access the elevator is full of offices. Once on third floor there are college classes in session. If you have to take your child in the hall during class because he or she is crying, go to the north end of the hallway or the restroom to avoid disrupting classes.
4. In case of severe weather, Kindermusik follows the Floyd County Schools. If the Floyd county schools are closed due to inclement weather, then Kindermusik will not meet. If the county cancels classes after 2 p.m., you will need to call the Kindermusik office concerning afternoon and evening classes, OR check for an update on the blog.
5. Kindermusik of Berry College does not follow a specific school system for breaks, so teachers will announce these to individual classes. There will also be announcements on the blog.  No classes on Labor Day. Monday classes will make those up the week of Thanksgiving.
6. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.  

If you have questions or concerns about anything in class, talk with your child's teacher.
You can always email me at knobles@berry.edu for a quick response to general questions, or leave a message at 706-233-4091.

We are glad you have chosen Kindermusik, it's a great way to enhance your child's life through music.

Activities Around Rome - Kid Friendly

Spring semester was full of good times in and out of theclassroom. Weekly classes are great, but many of you also enjoyed the Disney Concert presented by the Berry Ensembles, took the Dairy Tour or came to the park to play. Kindermusik encourages families to be together and one way to do that is to make music a part of yoursummer! Classes begin the week of June 1, so make sure to register online and join the fun. Besides Kindermusik, here are some other activities foryour family:  visit the strawberry farm... enroll in the summer reading program...go to the Berry farmer's market...enjoy a First Friday Concert in downtown Rome...take a walk by the river... visit the Eco Center.  Can you add to the list?

Peter and the Wolf

The Rome Symphony concert on Saturday April 25 is perfect for Kindermusik students!  There will be young artist performing that will inspire your musician to practice.  The young artist portion includes college and high school musicians. The trumpet soloist, Matt Soares, from Berry is an amazing performer.  You will not be disappointed by the student artist at this concert!  

Following the concerto winners, the symphony will perform the beloved musical story by Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf.  Children who have been in Kindermusik for the Young Child will remember this story as we use it to reinforce our auditory recollection of the orchestral instruments.  

Make this a special night for your family.  Dress up, go to dinner and then to the symphony! Student tickets are $2, adult tickets are $15-$20.  You can purchase tickets online here.  The concert starts at 7:30 and you will be on your way home by 9:30.  I hope to see you there!

Special Events in April

The Berry Music Ensembles will present an outdoor concert on Saturday, April 11 from 3 - 5 pm on the grounds at the Ford Complex. The Disney Spectacular will feature the wind ensemble, jazz band and drum line. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs to enjoy music from Frozen, The Lion King, Star Wars, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. For more fun, let your child wear a costume! This event is free, but donations encouraged to help support the Berry College Music Program.  

On Saturday April 18 Kindermusik families are invited to participate in a Moosic Tour at the Berry College Dairy.  This special event will include a gathering time of music, a visit to the calf barn to pet the calves, learn about the milking parlor and tank room, and pet the milking cows. There will be wooden cows that the children can milk too! Participants should wear close toed shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. Parents will need to sign a waiver for their children to take part in the tour.  Ask your Kindermusik teacher for a wavier.

This event is free for Kindermusik families, but you must register to attend.  There are 3 time slots, 930, 1030 and 1130 am. Each slot can accommodate 20 families. Please choose a time slot and indicate how many children will be attending with you.  This form doesn't seem to be mobile friendly, but it could be that it wasn't set up correctly!

The Moosic tour begins at the Rollins Research Center.  

Class Updates for Kindermusik of Berry College

If you miss a class you are welcome to make it up on another day/time.  Unfortunately some classes don't have that option...especially the evening classes.  It would be helpful if you could email about making up a class, just so we know you are coming.  It is not imperative, but encouraged.
Here is the UPDATED class schedule for Spring 2015:

Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)

Monday 6:30 p.m. - MOVED to Thursday 5:15 pm (meets in music library)

Tuesday 10:15 a.m. (Wendy)

Wednesday 9:15 a.m (Wendy)
Thursday 9:30 a.m.

Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)

Monday 5:45 p.m. 

Tuesday 9:30 a.m. (Wendy)

Wednesday 10:15 a.m. (Wendy)

Thursday 10:15 a.m. 

Thursday 6:15 p.m. 

Friday 9:30 a.m.  (Wendy)

Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)

Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library) - START TIME MOVED TO 5:45 pm

Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
Friday 10:15 a.m. (Wendy)

Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)

Semester 2 (green folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m. 

Semester 4 (yellow folder) Thursday 3:45 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. (Wendy)

Beyond Kindermusik meets on Tuesdays 4 - 5 pm

CHANGES ARE COMING

A big change is happening on the Berry campus and it will affect Kindermusik.  The construction of the beautiful new welcome center is almost complete and opening soon.  Berry faculty, staff and students will be issued new stickers that will allow them automatic entrance to the campus via an electronic system.  Here is what you need to know:

Those without Berry stickers will enter through a visitor’s lane and be asked for identification.  The process should be very quick. With time, we plan to enable some of our regular  visitors to purchase stickers for a charge that covers the sticker cost.   We hope to put this program in place later during 2015, after we have completed the transition with the Berry community and have addressed any technical or procedural issues.  Until then, those visitors are welcome to enter through the visitor’s lane.

There is always a learning curve with a change and new procedures.  You may need to allow a few extra minutes to get to class on time and thank you for your patience as Berry makes these adjustments.  An announcement about the commencement of this new policy/procedure will be sent via email and also made on the blog. 

REPETITION IS GOOD:

 REMINDERS ABOUT BEING AT BERRY!

1. Allow plenty of time to find a parking place and get to class. Once you arrive on campus, it will take you at least 5 minutes to get from the parking lot to the classroom.
2. The elevator is a great asset. Please help us keep the alarm from ringing or the help button from being pushed. Buttons are inviting to children, and they are low...but keep them from calling security! Let them push the "floor" buttons, but stay away from the red and yellow ones!
3. Please use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building. First floor where you access the elevator is full of offices. Once on third floor there are college classes in session. If you have to take your child in the hall during class because he or she is crying, go to the north end of the hallway or the restroom to avoid disrupting classes.
4. In case of severe weather, Kindermusik follows the Floyd County Schools. If the Floyd county schools are closed due to inclement weather, then Kindermusik will not meet. If the county cancels classes after 2 p.m. check for an update on the blog or on the Y Kindermusik of Berry College Facebook page! LIKE US!  If you want to be certain call the office and there will be a message about the weather, 706-233-4091
5. Kindermusik of Berry College does not follow a specific school system for spring break, so teachers will announce these to individual classes. There will also be announcements in class, on the blog and on Facebook.

If you have questions or concerns about anything in class, talk with your child's teacher.
You can always email me at knobles@berry.edu for a quick response to general questions, or leave a message at 706-233-4091.  Email for Kay Bratton is brattonk@bellsouth.net and for Wendy Williams is hamilton80@aol.com

We are glad you have chosen Kindermusik, it's a great way to enhance your child's life through music.

Remember This

Kindermusik classes for spring semester begin the week of January 12.  Here are some things you need to know:

It's cold and flu season! If your child has had a fever in the past 24 hours, please do not attend class. Wash your hands, and/or use hand sanitizer before and after class. We will take precautions by wiping instruments and washing scarves on a regular basis.

Remember all children are different, and your child may not participate the same as others. Your child may wander or just observe, but they are absorbing the atmosphere and are learning.
You may need to stand up with your child, while others are sitting. You may need to find a new way to rock or move. Find a way to participate with your child.

For those with older children (Imagine That or Young Child), you may notice that they respond differently when you come for sharing time. This is part of being an independent learner. Try not to judge your child. Do correct disruptive behavior that is inappropriate such as loud talking, angry outbursts or struggling with a sibling who enters. Once class is over, tell the child what you enjoyed about being in class with them. Put the accent on the positive that you want to see repeated.

If you miss a class you are welcome to make it up on another day/time.  Unfortunately some classes don't have that option...especially the evening classes.  It would be helpful if you could email about making up a class, just so we know you are coming.  It is not imperative, but encouraged.  Here is the class schedule for Spring 2015:

Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)

Monday 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday 9:15 a.m 
Thursday 9:30 a.m.

Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)

Monday 5:45 p.m. 

Tuesday 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10:15 a.m.

Thursday 10:15 a.m. 

Thursday 6:30 p.m. 

Friday 9:30 a.m. 

Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)

Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
Friday 10:15 a.m.

Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)

Semester 2 (green folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m. 

Semester 4 (yellow folder) Thursday 3:45 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.

Beyond Kindermusik meets on Tuesdays 4 - 5 pm

REPETITION IS GOOD:

 REMINDERS ABOUT BEING AT BERRY!

1. Allow plenty of time to find a parking place and get to class. Once you arrive on campus, it will take you at least 5 minutes to get from the parking lot to the classroom.
2. The elevator is a great asset. Please help us keep the alarm from ringing or the help button from being pushed. Buttons are inviting to children, and they are low...but keep them from calling security! Let them push the "floor" buttons, but stay away from the red and yellow ones!
3. Please use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building. First floor where you access the elevator is full of offices. Once on third floor there are college classes in session. If you have to take your child in the hall during class because he or she is crying, go to the north end of the hallway or the restroom to avoid disrupting classes.
4. In case of severe weather, Kindermusik follows the Floyd County Schools. If the Floyd county schools are closed due to inclement weather, then Kindermusik will not meet. If the county cancels classes after 2 p.m. check for an update on the blog or on the Y Kindermusik of Berry College Facebook page! LIKE US!  If you want to be certain call the office and there will be a message about the weather, 706-233-4091
5. Kindermusik of Berry College does not follow a specific school system for spring break, so teachers will announce these to individual classes. There will also be announcements in class, on the blog and on Facebook.

If you have questions or concerns about anything in class, talk with your child's teacher.
You can always email me at knobles@berry.edu for a quick response to general questions, or leave a message at 706-233-4091.  Email for Kay Bratton is brattonk@bellsouth.net and for Wendy Williams is hamilton80@aol.com

We are glad you have chosen Kindermusik, it's a great way to enhance your child's life through music.