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from the editor


“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” – Confucius,


551 B.C. – 479 B.C.


These ancient words of wisdom have


stood the test of time; they apply as much today as they did back then.


What has changed is the complexity in which we communicate to gain involvement. With the convenience of technology like email, web and mobile devices, cutting through the clutter and connecting personably can ironically be quite a challenge. In today’s fast-faced society, there is so much coming at us at once through the ease of messaging that it can overwhelmingly end up being “one-way” communication (“Tell me and I’ll forget”).


Now, consider the life of a modern-day parent… single, divorced, married or partnered; working in the home or out of the home on first, second or third shift, or unemployed; with one or more children who are growing up at the same pace as the advancement in technology, in which, by the way, they are a driving force… the list goes on. However, even with no two families exactly alike, there is often a major commonality with parents – they want the best for their children.


How do we most effectively reach parents in today’s whirlwind climate and connect with them to gain their constructive involvement and further support of our programs so that we can together enrich children’s lives through music education?


This issue of WSM, themed “Nurturing Parental Involvement,” addresses that challenge, all while considering the critical role parents have in a child’s education. From ways to utilize a parent support group, including cross-curricular, to ef- fective methods of communication with parents, the pages ahead share insights on how to develop and nurture constructive parental involvement where and when it matters most.


WISCONSIN SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS


President • Elaine Baumann • elaine.baumann@rfsd.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, River Falls


President-Elect • Robert Berndt • bberndt@pembine.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine Schools, Pembine


Past-President • Lee Zarnott • lzarnott@mayville.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, Mayville


District Representatives


NORTHERN • Mario Friedel • mfriedel@ladysmith.k12.wi.us Superintendent/Elementary Principal, Ladysmith School District


WEST CENTRAL • Elaine Baumann • elaine.baumann@rfsd.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, River Falls, President WESTERN • TBA


SOUTHWESTERN • James Egan • jegan@swsd.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Southwestern School District, Hazel Green


NORTHEASTERN • Robert Berndt • bberndt@pembine.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine Schools, Pembine


CENTRAL • Gordon Sisson • sisson@marshfield.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, Marshfield


EASTERN • Timothy Schaid • schaidt@chilton.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, Chilton


SOUTH CENTRAL • TBA


EAST CENTRAL • Lee Zarnott • lzarnott@mayville.k12.wi.us Principal, High School, Mayville, Past-President


SOUTHEASTERN • R. Scott Pierce • spierce17@wi.rr.com District Administrator, Central High School District of Westosha, Salem


Wisconsin Music Educators Association Richard Tengowski, President • Kohler • tengowskir@kohler.k12.wi.us Leyla Sanyer, President-Elect • Oregon • les@oregonsd.net Jon B. Gilliland, Past President • Fond du Lac • jonbgilliland@gmail.com


Wisconsin Association of School Boards Mary Janssen • Little Chute • mjanssen@wasb.org


Community Liaison Todd Schmidt • Waunakee • tschmidt@vil.waunakee.wi.us


Past Board Member Representative Gregg Butler • Eau Claire • gbutler11@gmail.com Robert Hanson • Minocqua • robertahanson@frontier.com


Kevin Thays, Editor 4


January 2012


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