From the Desk of Mrs. Berntson

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1 March Hillside Middle School 1825 South Nevada Street (2375 East), Salt Lake City, UT Phone: (801) Fax: (801) From the Desk of Mrs. Berntson OPERATION KINDNESS Next week March 12-16, 2018, our students will be participating in a week of activities that will promote KIND- NESS toward others inside and out of our school. This effort is to focus our energy on doing the right thing and finding ways to bring happiness to others and ourselves. Some of the activities students will participate in include signing a poster and wearing a Kindness bracelet during the week to remind them that being kind is powerful. Students will also have a challenge to accomplish 17 or more Acts of Kindness during the week. (We hope this will carry on long after this week.) We had several students ask if they could participate in some way to show respect to the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m., we will have 17 minutes of silence, one for each victim. During lunch stationary will be available for students to write letters to the Florida families. We are proud of our students commitment to be proactive and positive for others. Thank you to our amazing PTA for their support during this positive week of activities! Parents, we would appreciate any stationary you are willing to provide for the letter writing activity on Wednesday. Please bring donations of stationary to the front office. You are welcome to visit during lunch time to participate and support our students. Best Regards, Mrs. Berntson Important Dates for March Thursday, March 1st: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:30pm Mon., March 12th Fri., March 16th: Kindness Week Saturday, March 17th: Band classes at St. Patrick s Day parade Tuesday, March 20th: 7:30 am Tuesday, March 20th: Orchestra Clayton 9am-12pm Wednesday, March 21st: Choir Northwest 9am-12pm Thursday, March 22nd: Band Bryant 9am-12pm Thursday, March 22nd: PTA 9:30 am Friday, March 23rd: Husky 12:45pm Friday, March 23rd: End of Term 3 Mon., March 26th Fri., March 30th: Spring Break!

2 Page 2 Peter Pan Hillside Middle School Students Delight Audiences with Peter Pan Jr. Hillside Middle School students thrilled audiences with its Peter Pan Jr. performances. The play included a cast of 190 students who practiced for 5 months preparing for the February showings. All six performances sold out 11 days before the play began. Peter Pan Jr s success came from the dreams and enthusiastic work of Director Nate Holcomb, a 15 member board of directors, a stage crew of approximately 30 members, a huge cast, and lots of diligence and dreams. The final spectacle amazed audience members of all ages. Hillside's cast created many memorable moments with the beloved play. Two lead casts demonstrated confidence and child-like joy as they brought the stage characters to life. Hook was humorously cranky. Tinkerbell performed a ballet extraordinaire. Other pixies also performed a heart-warming ballet. The Darling family was darling. Tiger Lily's brave girls drummed an amazing dance that became more astounding when the theater abruptly darkened, leaving 1600 neon glow sticks swirling in a mystical light show. Pirates and lost boys sang, danced, swayed, and won our hearts. Peter Pan flew across the stage while in daring combat with Hook and while teaching the young Darlings to fly. In no time, the audience felt they were visiting Neverland. Finally, Tick Tock Croc stole the show as he chased a terrified Hook from the stage. Behind the scenes of Peter Pan Jr., the ensemble demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage the complexity of organized chaos. Actors chased in and out of the auditorium. 150 students simultaneously pulled off a 60 second costume change to arrive back on-stage moments later as a completely different character. A large behind the scene cast tugged on heavy ropes and wire rigging to make Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, and Jane fly around the stage, looking like they danced delicately in the sky. The play closed another successful season of musical theater at Hillside with thoughts and reminders for all of us to retain a child-like faith and in some ways to "never grow up."

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5 Page 5 Orchestra News Orchestra News After a busy January, we have been starting to get ready for Spring. Both classes will perform at Hillside on May 8th at 7:00pm. Please plan ahead, and put it on your calendar today! All Orchestra students must attend, as this concert is the culmination of all of the hard work we have done this school year. It will be a wonderful performance! In March, the Orchestra II class will participate in the Middle School Orchestra Festival at Clayton. We will be judged by two adjudicators, and receive valuable feedback that will help guide us for the remainder of the year. This takes place on March 20th during school, from 9am-11:30am. This is a concert black and white dress event, and is mandatory for all Orchestra II students. I know that this time of year has been busy for many of us, and I would like to thank all of our supportive parents who help their children be successful. Thank you for the support with home practice, getting to performances, and encouraging your child to continue playing. It is my hope that all of my students keep playing next year, Never, in my 22 years of teaching, has one student said I am glad I quit, but countless students have said I really wish I hadn t quit. There are always difficult moments or even months, but it is overcoming obstacles that make us into hard working, determined adults. Quitting before you realize your potential is one of the things we look back on as adults and regret. Help your child push through the hard times, and the memories and experiences they have through music will last a lifetime. The benefits have been measured by numerous studies. Music does increase your brain s ability to learn and grow, making us better learners. Not to mention, it is also fun! - Mrs. Misco Take a look at this great article for more information!