Certainly I'm biased on the issue of a reward for the band for a job well-done, but as far as I'm concerned, there are no other groups at JCHS that serve the Jay County area better than the Patriot Band – not no one, not no how! That's not to say that there aren't other JCHS groups that provide service for our community, including the choir, sports teams, drama, FFA, etc. But for most of the year the Patriot Band and staff serves the county in ways no other organization can. A perfect example is the many local parades at which we perform. Every community has at least one parade every year (Portland, Dunkirk, Redkey, Bryant, Pennville, Salamonia) plus Homecoming and the Parade of Lights. That's eight weekends or holidays that are interrupted each year just for a parade. For example, this July 4th, while most are enjoying a day off, the Patriot Band and staff will be providing parade entertainment for the city of Portland. It’s expected - it’s what we do - but it doesn’t take away from the fact that as a band and staff we work on more holidays, Fridays and Saturdays than any other group.
In addition, we perform at every home football and basketball game and in recent years have taken to showing up at several girl's games each season. We are also asked to perform on Memorial Day, special events and anniversaries such as the hospital anniversary last fall, the Wal-Mart grand opening, etc., etc. etc. Some of these event organizers are kind enough to pay us for performing but that money is used to pay band expenses and not the kids or staff!
So what's wrong with giving the band a reward once in a while. Just don't forget, the trip "reward" this year came with a hefty price tag - close to $600!
Agree or disagree!
Talk to me, I'm Daddy V
Proudly serving the Jay County community since 1975! 1995 and 2001 Indiana State Fair champions! Here you will find contest information, scores, and much more...
TRAVEL FOR EDUCATION - WHAT I LEARNED ON MY BAND TRIP!
Many have argued over the years that band travel is nothing but a recreational adventure and has no place in the band curriculum. But in light of recommendations, studies and reports done over the course of many years, experts believe that student travel in and of itself can be an educational experience – it’s the ultimate in “hands-on” learning! And what better way to give kids “hand-on” learning than in cities like Washington D.C. (bus and walking tour of government and historical sites and the Smithsonian for ½ half a day) and New York City (bus tour, walking tour, Broadway show, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc.) Now granted what we did was somewhat rushed, but if we did nothing more than expose the students to new places where they may return to some day for a repeat visit, we accomplished our goal. Even Daddy V did his part by trying to give blog-readers some information about the "Big Apple" before we ever left Portland. Do you know why New York City has developed into such and important city over the last 300 years? I'll bet a lot of the band kids do now! (hint: schist)
In additon to general and historical knowledge, travel seems to increase a student's vocabulary. In their vocabulary manual “Building Academic Vocabulary” (ASCD – 2005) Marzano and Pickering point out that many students arrive in school with well-developed vocabularies because “they or their families may have traveled extensively, exposing them to a variety of individuals, experiences, and cultures. Such students commonly take part in conversations at home that involve abundant information that will be useful to them in school. In short they may have incidentally gained the academic background knowledge they need to succeed in school.” When Daddy V was a pup, his family traveled every summer and not just the same ol’ trip to the same ol’ motel on the same ol’ beach in Florida. My dad loved to travel and we traversed the country not once, not twice, but three times during my high school years - three weeks, in the summer, every other year, from New Jersey to California and back again. My dad was blessed with a good business that allowed him the time and resources for this kind of travel and in retrospect I’m sure that’s why my vocab scores on standardized tests were always off the charts. Most of Daddy V’s grades were “beach” grades – you know, right at “C” level – but when it came to reading, English, and history – ah yes, I was a legend.
Some day, when you have time, type “educational value of travel” into your browser and see how many hits you get. Granted many of the links are to travel companies, but their sites often have justification for educational travel including several that sight a congressional resolution regarding the value of student travel.
Agree or disagree!
Talk to me, I'm Daddy V
In additon to general and historical knowledge, travel seems to increase a student's vocabulary. In their vocabulary manual “Building Academic Vocabulary” (ASCD – 2005) Marzano and Pickering point out that many students arrive in school with well-developed vocabularies because “they or their families may have traveled extensively, exposing them to a variety of individuals, experiences, and cultures. Such students commonly take part in conversations at home that involve abundant information that will be useful to them in school. In short they may have incidentally gained the academic background knowledge they need to succeed in school.” When Daddy V was a pup, his family traveled every summer and not just the same ol’ trip to the same ol’ motel on the same ol’ beach in Florida. My dad loved to travel and we traversed the country not once, not twice, but three times during my high school years - three weeks, in the summer, every other year, from New Jersey to California and back again. My dad was blessed with a good business that allowed him the time and resources for this kind of travel and in retrospect I’m sure that’s why my vocab scores on standardized tests were always off the charts. Most of Daddy V’s grades were “beach” grades – you know, right at “C” level – but when it came to reading, English, and history – ah yes, I was a legend.
Some day, when you have time, type “educational value of travel” into your browser and see how many hits you get. Granted many of the links are to travel companies, but their sites often have justification for educational travel including several that sight a congressional resolution regarding the value of student travel.
Agree or disagree!
Talk to me, I'm Daddy V
ON THE ROAD AGAIN.....BUT WHY?
ON THE ROAD AGAIN...............
.......BUT WHY?
In light of the recent unpleasentness regarding comments about band travel, Daddy V has decided to take the issue on head-first! After much pondering, reading, web searching, etc., Daddy V has written what amounts to a short book regarding the benefits of student travel in general and Patriot Band travel specifically. Not wanting to bore you out of your minds, I will serialize my "book" over several entries to minimize eye strain and brain drain.
Topics discussed will include:
Travel for Education - "What I Learned on My Band Trip"
Travel for Reward - "Where Were You Last July 4th?"
Travel to Represent - "My Indiana Home"
Travel for Awareness of Ethno and Ego-Centrism - "The World Doesn't Revolve Around Me?"
As always, your comments, pro and con, are encouraged and appreciated and will be posted.
Daddy V
A WORD FROM MR. SMELTZER....
In regards to the recent comments from teachers regarding the Patriot Band trip to Washington D.C. and New York City, all teachers involved have discussed these issues and all conflicts have been resolved. It should be the goal of all Jay County High School organizations to support each other in all of our activities.
Mr. Smeltzer
Mr. Smeltzer
5 YEARS - CANCER FREE!
Today was Daddy V's 5th Anniversary check-up after cancer surgery and he was given a clean bill of health. For those of you who didn't know, Daddy V was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of summer 2001. It was one of those,"hey what's this "golf ball" doing in my arm" that kind of alerted Daddy V to the problem and thanks to some skillful surgery the problem was taken care of quickly. Daddy V was indeed fortunate that the tumor showed up on his arm as that kind of cancer (lycigeneous sarcoma - sp?) is known to take up housekeeping in places like you heart and lungs. Early detection - quick treatment - full recovery! Cancer doesn't discriminate according to age either, folks - ask Brandon McDavid or Matt McCord. They were both in middle school band at the time when they were diagnosed and we thought we had our own "cancer cluster"! If it doesn't feel or look right, get it checked! Always better to be safe than sorry!
Daddy "5 Years Cancer Free" V
Daddy "5 Years Cancer Free" V
THE CALM AFTER THE STORM
Daddy V has voluntarily removed the post concerning comments made against the Patriot Band program. Mr. Smeltzer and I met with Mr. Hill tonight regarding the comments and after much discussion, it was decided that there is fault on both sides - Mr. Hill and Daddy V. Mr. Hill certainly made inappropriate comments concerning the high school band program but perhaps Daddy V went a little over-board in his reaction. For those of you who don't know, my daughter, Laura, was in the class in which the comments were made and perhaps a bit of my reaction was "Daddy Bear protecting his cub" - and not just my own cub but all my other "cubs" in that class. Goodness knows Daddy V has had "foot in mouth" disease on several occasions during his career. It's all about respect, folks, and although Daddy V's knee-jerk reaction was a bit much, it was done out of respect for the kids in a program that he thinks are second to none!
Please read Coach Hill's post in the comment section of this blog!
Peace!
Daddy V
WHEN YOU STRIVE TOWARDS A GOAL WITH ALL THE PASSION AND INTENSITY YOU CAN MUSTER, YOU ARE GREAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME!
Please read Coach Hill's post in the comment section of this blog!
Peace!
Daddy V
WHEN YOU STRIVE TOWARDS A GOAL WITH ALL THE PASSION AND INTENSITY YOU CAN MUSTER, YOU ARE GREAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME!
PROM-SERVATIONS - SHOES, TATOOS AND MORE!
Tonight was Daddy V's first experience with this thing called the "prom." When Daddy V was a pup, the prom was not a big deal. As a matter of fact, the night of his senior prom, volunteer fireman Daddy V spent the night "babysitting" the town firetrucks while renovation work at the firehouse was completed. Civic duty before personal pleasure! After viewing tonight's proceeding, Daddy V would like to make the following observations:
1. Picking a prom dress is obviously more difficult these days than in years gone by. These days, girls must find a dress that is not only flattering but also effectively displays their tatoos!
2. Gentlemen also struggle with proper prom presentation. It must be difficult to find just the right color sneakers to match both their tux as well as their date's dress!
3. Ladies - if you never wear high heels what makes you think you can put a pair on the night of the prom and walk with any sense of style?
4. Along these same lines, when you know you're going to spend quite a bit of time on your feet, why would you wear shoes that you know are going to hurt? I'll bet I saw a dozen girls carrying their shoes - and those were just the wimpy ones who couldn't tough out the pain!
1. Picking a prom dress is obviously more difficult these days than in years gone by. These days, girls must find a dress that is not only flattering but also effectively displays their tatoos!
2. Gentlemen also struggle with proper prom presentation. It must be difficult to find just the right color sneakers to match both their tux as well as their date's dress!
3. Ladies - if you never wear high heels what makes you think you can put a pair on the night of the prom and walk with any sense of style?
4. Along these same lines, when you know you're going to spend quite a bit of time on your feet, why would you wear shoes that you know are going to hurt? I'll bet I saw a dozen girls carrying their shoes - and those were just the wimpy ones who couldn't tough out the pain!
"QUEEN" SWEEP FOR THE PATRIOT BAND!
HER MAJESTY, "BOWLING" ALLY FULLENKAMP
Congratulations to Allison Fullenkamp, Patriot Band drum major and flute player, on being selected the 2007 JCHS Prom Queen. What a beautiful and worthy selection for such an honor.
HER MAJESTY, KELSEY BONE
Daddy V applauds Allison and would also like to congratulate Kelsey Bone on her selection for Homecoming Queen last fall. Daddy V wasn't on line until late last fall, so he wasn't able to give his blessing to Kelsey's honor. Both young ladies hold a special place in Daddy V's heart since he's known them both from an early age and he has enjoyed watching them grow into beautiful young women who have been fantastic members of the Patriot Band and Eastern Breeze Flute Choir members. Congratulations again to Allison and Kelsey!
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!
THE HAPPY COUPLE!
Holy Matrimony! It's true! After months of rumor and speculation, the indomitable Mark "Melon" Garringer has asked the beautiful Emilie "Nutmeg" Boyes to spend the rest of her life with him and she said YES!
ARE YA GAME?
Needless to say, the happy couple has the well wishes of the entire Patriot Band and staff as they begin to plan their lives together!
YOU BET!
Daddy V has a special place in his heart for all our "junior" staffers - they keep him young - but it's no secret that Emilie has burrowed a special place in Daddy V's heart - kinda like a bol weevil burrows into a cottonpod! Must be the TaylorU/East Coast/Color Guard connection!
Daddy V asks God's blessing on Mark and Emilie during this happy time! But let's not lose sight of what's important in life! Summer band starts in 67 days!
BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA!
For better or worse, it's back home again in Jay County for the Marching Patriots! All in all, it was a safe trip - nobody honked, nobody skidded - but what about what your thoughts - what did you like, what didn't you like. Make yourself the band director - what would you do different. Please keep in mind that even though your band staff are considered by many to be demi-gods (especially Daddy V) we can't control the weather!