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Saratoga Union School District board members unanimously approved the Redwood Middle School Music Tour 2004 at their Sept. 9 meeting. The short meeting started early to allow board members, many of whom are also parents, the opportunity to attend Back to School Night at Saratoga High School, held the same evening.
In her less-than-three-minute pitch, the middle school's Music Director Vicki Wyant presented the board with details about the optional music tour/field trip for 31/2 days in April to Southern California. The trip will include students from the honor chorus; marching, jazz and concert bands; and orchestra, percussion ensemble, jazz-dance team and color-guard groups. About 150 students will either attend a world music festival or a heritage festival as part of the tour, said Wyant.
"Students don't have to go on the tour," Wyant said. "As long as I have a balanced group. There's no pressure to go on the tour at all."
Wyant said those kids who want to go on the tour will be able to pick whether they want to fly or take a bus to Los Angeles; however, the decision will ultimately be made by the children's parents, who fund the trip.
"But the kids have a big influence on their parents," Wyant said.
Board member Cathie Thermond said both of her children went on the tour when they were in seventh grade and had a great time. If the group's audition tape is accepted, the students will be performing in the Disneyland parade, as well as spending two days having fun at theme parks, under the supervision of parent chaperons. The middle school has been participating in the tour every other year for the past four years, Wyant said.
"I'm always pleased that the board supports this kind of educational adventure," she said.
As for the district's budget, chief business official Ellen Tipton said that for the 200304 fiscal year the general fund has an available unrestricted ending balance of $222,253. She said the district is receiving more funding than anticipated because of basic aid property-tax revenue. There was no discussion by board members about the budget, but it was unanimously approved by the board and will soon be reviewed by professional auditors.
In addition, Diane Smalley, who taught eighth-grade core last year at Redwood Middle School and now teaches leadership, was introduced to board members and recognized as the school's new dean. Smalley also helps organize "Welcome Everybody" at Redwood Middle School, where eighth-grade students serve as mentors to sixth-grade students. Redwood Middle School Principal Beth Polito said Smalley's new position as dean will include responsibilities such as discipline and coordinating traffic.
"I can hardly wait for my vest," Smalley said, referring to the bright orange traffic vest she'll wear while on duty.
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