Dear BMES Community,
We had a fun and festive week last week with Spirit Week and celebrating Halloween. It was so nice to see so many families join us at school!
We are always so grateful to have visitors and volunteers at school, whether it's for a class celebration, chaperone for a field trip, or a library volunteer. When you join us at school, it is important to maintain confidentiality for all students. Please do not share any observations or information regarding other children and do not take or share photos of any other children on social media without the consent of their parents. You can find more information on confidentiality by viewing the RPS Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement.
As a reminder, there will be no school for students on Tuesday for Election Day and next Monday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. We look forward to recognizing Veterans Day this Friday at our monthly whole school meeting. Thank you to everyone who shared photos of veterans from their families.
Have a good week and long weekend!
Warm regards,
Becky & Caitlin
An Opportunity for 5th Grade Families!
Join us for the Ridgefield Public Schools District Music Festivals—a celebration of music featuring our talented 5th-grade chorus, band, and orchestra students!
🎶Festival Dates:
Choral Festival - January 28th, 2025 - 7:00 PM at Ridgefield High School
Orchestra Festival - February 3rd, 2025 - 7:00 PM at Ridgefield High School
Band Festival - February 4th, 2025 - 7:00 PM at Ridgefield High School
🌟 What to Expect:
Your 5th grader has the opportunity to be part of a district-wide performance, where they’ll meet their future middle school music teachers and new classmates in the performing ensembles. They'll have the chance to:
Rehearse and perform with other 5th graders from across the district.
Hear inspiring performances by 8th-grade and high school-level groups.
Take part in an exciting combined performance that brings together elementary, middle, and high school students for a grand musical finale!
🎶 Why Attend?:
This festival is more than just a performance—it’s a special opportunity for our students and families to experience what’s ahead in their musical journey, build connections with teachers and peers, and be inspired by older students.
🎤 Who’s Invited:
5th Graders Chorus students who audition in late November/early December will be eligible to participate in the festival as space is limited.
5th Grade Band students who audition in January will be eligible to participate in the festival as space is limited.
All 5th Grade orchestra students will participate in the Orchestra Festival.
All students and families who are not participating in the festival are welcome to attend as audience members!
🎶 The Audition Process (Band & Chorus):
Students who want to participate in the Band & Choral Festivals will participate in an audition during the school day with your school’s music teacher. The audition process ensures that your child is prepared to perform at the festival. It also prepares your child for auditions at the middle school and high school level to perform in select groups such as chamber singers, wind ensemble, symphonic orchestra, and jazz band.
Band Festival Auditions - mid-January
Student performs a pre-selected song from the band method book
Choral Festival Auditions - late November/early December
Students sing a familiar song - Happy Birthday in Ab Major
Students sing a small portion of the festival song on the appropriate assigned part (will vary by school
More information is to come soon. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the magic of music!
Musically Yours,
Elizabeth Anderson - BES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Colleen McGuirk - BMES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Ian Jackson - FES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Ryan Loucks - RES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Jim Tornatore - SES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Ryan Dunne - VPES General Music, Band Director, Choir Direction
Brian Ho - Orchestra Director - BES, FES, VPES
Josh Sette - Orchestra Director - BMES, RES, SES
Barlow Mountain Elementary School
Email: rlaus@ridgefieldps.net
Website: https://bmes.ridgefield.org/
Location: 115 Barlow Mountain Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203-894-5800